The Effect of Firework Explosion at the Fireworks Factory on Air Pollutant Levels

INTRODUCTION: Fireworks are used for show and entertainment purposes during celebrations of special days in many countries. However, fireworks negatively affect human health in many ways, especially air pollution. After the explosion of the fireworks factory in Sakarya, this study investigated the changes in the air pollutants in the region.
METHODS: The firework factory exploded on 3 July 2020. This date was the determiner, and daily air quality data (particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 µm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitroxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3)) were collected 1 week before (26 June–2 July) and 1 week later (3–9 July). Air quality monitoring data were received from four air monitoring stations (Ozanlar, Merkez, Sakarya, and Hendek) in Sakarya.
RESULTS: Of the pre-explosion median, PM2.5 increased from 12.1 [12.9] to 18.2 [35.9] μg/m3 (50.4%), SO2 from 8.5 [2.8] to 12.1 [13.0] μg/m3 (42.4%) (p=0.010 and p=0.010, respectively). NOx decreased from 45.9 [29.1] to 42.1 [51.1], O3 increased from 21.6 [29.4] to 46.5 [33.8], CO from 1388.6 [209.2] to 1436.2 [93.4] (p=0.224, p=0.678 and p=0.225, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the explosion of the fireworks factory led to short-term air pollution in the area. Thus, it may be appropriate to consider the potential health effects of air pollution in the studies to be carried out.