Firecracker ban can reduce nanoparticle emissions by around 22%: Study

The study, titled ‘Are Delhi residents exposed to lesser particle number concentration due to the firework ban in the city?’, analysed air quality before and after the banning of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations of 2021 and 2022 in the national capital.

The executive order states that temporary licenses are being issued for the sale of firecrackers, and vendors will be allowed to sell them only from October 20 to 24.(File Photo)

A firecracker ban can reduce up to 20-22% of certain nanoparticle emissions, revealed a recent study published in the journal, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, by researchers from the Delhi Technological University (DTU).

The study, titled ‘Are Delhi residents exposed to lesser particle number concentration due to the firework ban in the city?’, analysed air quality before and after the banning of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations of 2021 and 2022 in the national capital.

The festival coincides with the onset of winter, when meteorological factors, including low wind speeds and high humidity, cause pollutants to linger in the atmosphere.

The nanoparticle pollutants, which are particularly hazardous for children and older adults, can penetrate through the skin and blood vessels due to their smaller size. The major health impacts of exposure to these are stroke, hypertension, and myocardial infarction, the study noted.

With the announcement of a complete ban on firecrackers in the capital on Monday (October 14) till January 1, the impact assessment of the policy to reduce nanoparticle pollutants becomes crucial.

The strict implementation of the firecracker ban, including restrictions on the sale and online distribution of fireworks, can reduce particle emissions, the study highlighted through its findings.

The study measured particles within the size range of 10 to 1,000 nanometers. These nanoparticles were measured on the DTU premises. The data was collected for 11 days in both years (2021 and 2022) — the first five days pre-Diwali, followed by the date of Diwali, and the next five days post-Diwali.

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The inhalable nanoparticle concentration during the 2021 Diwali day was about 9.73 million nanoparticles. On the Diwali day in 2022, it was around 8.12 million nanoparticles. The total inhalable particle exposure on Diwali day decreased by approximately 1.6 million nanoparticles, around an 18% reduction from the previous year.

The 2022 analysis showed that air quality remained relatively stable throughout the pre and post-Diwali periods which the study credited to the strict enforcement of a complete ban on firecrackers in the same year.

The study urged also the need for “more target-based policy implementation” to meet the human health standards for clean air needs. Identifying the potential sources and ensuring the apt policy framework for its reduction can help achieve clean air goals, the study suggested.

Sophiya Mathew

Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More

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