Analysis of noise and air pollution in Sambalpur City, India, during Diwali

Diwali (or Deepavali) is one of the most glamorous cultural festivals in India. It is the festival of light and is celebrated every year during the month of November with great firework displays. Burning of different fireworks generates acute noise and toxic fumes, which lead to noise and air pollution in the environment. The excessive use of fireworks aggravates the level of air and noise pollution and causes adverse impacts on human health. The present paper assesses the noise pollution and air pollution during Diwali in Sambalpur City, one of the premier cities in the western part of Odisha State in Eastern India. The noise level is measured on Diwali day and is compared with that on normal days. Similarly, air quality is measured on Diwali day and compared with that on normal days (pre-Diwali and post-Diwali). The average equivalent continuous noise levels (L-eq) and noise pollution levels have increased in all areas on Diwali compared with those on non-Diwali days. It is also observed that there is a significant rise of air pollutants, total suspended particulate matter, PM10, PM2.5, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in ambient air due to burning of crackers in Diwali.