Effect of Fireworks Pollution on Human Health During Diwali Festival: A Study of Ahmedabad, India

Abstract

Context: India has a long tradition of celebrating diwali festival by burning firecrackers. The fireworks release a large amount of air pollutants which have a detrimental effect on human health. Very few studies have done to examine the detrimental effect of fireworks pollution on human health and no scientific study has done in Ahmedabad. Aims: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of fireworks pollution on human health. Method: Four residential areas were included in Ahmedabad city. Total 252 people were participated in the study. The structured questionnaire was used to inquire about symptoms like breathlessness, cough, wheeze, runny nose, eye irritation, allergy, itchy skin. Statistical Analysis Used: Microsoft excel 2010 software was used for analysis. Results: We found that 48% of subjects complained of cough, 38% of subjects complained runny nose and eye irritation, 27% subjects complained breathlessness, 5% subjects complained allergy and itchy skin and 2% subjects complained wheeze. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is harmful effect of fireworks pollution on human health and the symptoms of cough, runny nose and eye irritation were most common.