A first study on airborne fine dust emission from fireworks in Malta

Abstract

The concentration of PM10 in Malta and Gozo was measured and PM10 dust was analysed for copper, strontium, barium, aluminium and antimony in order to establish the effect of fireworks emissions and their effect on PM10 dust in the Maltese islands. The method of analysis involved the weekly collection of PM10 aerosols using a low-volume sampler equipped with a selective inlet (pre-separator) to collect airborne dust smaller that l0µm in aerodynamic diameter. The dust was then extracted from the Teflon filters and analysed using GF-AAS. PM10 emissions from the Fireworks Festival of 2006 were also sampled and analysed in order to assess the impact on the air quality from a short duration fireworks burning outside of the festa season. PM10 levels were found to exceed the EU annual limit of 40 µg m-3 in Malta nearly at half the sampling points but lower levels were recorded at Ta' Gordan Lighthouse in Gozo. High levels of metallic compounds related to fireworks were recorded during the festa season. Fireworks burning was found to be a significant anthropogenic contributor to local PM10. The study also attempted to calculate the total fine dust emission from the fireworks industry in Malta and includes a first study on emission factors for various pyrotechnic compositions. The huge amount of fine dust containing toxic metallic compounds produced by fireworks during the summer months represents a health hazard for the Maltese population at large.