Variation of particle number and mass concentration and associated mass deposition during Diwali festival

Diwali is one of the main festivals in India when firecrackers bursting lead to short term increase in particulate matter (PM) concentration in atmosphere. In this study, real time observations of size segregated particles number and mass concentration have been made during Diwali campaign in November 2015 at Kanpur. Results show that particle concentrations were highest during Post Diwali night as compared to Diwali night. This is attributable to build up of pollutants concentration from local and upwind region during Post Diwali. The PM2.5 mass concentration during Post Diwali was higher by a factor of 1.8 (day) and 1.3 (night) as compared to Pre Diwali. The average particle number concentration in ultrafine size (0.01 to 0.2 μm) and cumulative particle size (0.01 to 1 μm) during Post Diwali was higher by a factor of 6.8 and 3.7, respectively as compared to Pre Diwali nighttime. Size segregated PM data set for Pre Diwali, Diwali and Post Diwali periods were assessed for their deposition in human lung utilizing a computational model viz. MPPD (Multiple Path Particle Dosimetry). Results from lung deposition modeling have been systematically discussed. One of the major highlights of this study relates to penetration and significant deposition of fine particles in the pulmonary region during the study period in IGP. Our study, first of its own kind over Indian region, shows clearly the implications of air pollution on human health.