Measurement report: A multi-year study on the impacts of Chinese New Year celebrations on air quality in Beijing, China
Authors: Foreback Benjamin , Dada Lubna , Daellenbach Kaspar R. , Yan Chao , Wang Lili , Chu Biwu , Zhou Ying , Kokkonen Tom V. , Kurppa Mona , Pileci Rosaria E. , Wang Yonghong , Chan Tommy , Kangasluoma Juha , Zhuohui Lin , Guo Yishou , Li Chang , Baalbaki Rima , Kujansuu Joni , Fan Xiaolong , Feng Zemin , Rantala Pekka , Gani Shahzad , Bianchi Federico , Kerminen Veli-Matti , Petäjä Tuukka , Kulmala Markku , Liu Yongchun , Paasonen Pauli 
Published: August 2022

Abstract. This study investigates the influence of the Chinese New Year (CNY)
celebrations on local air quality in Beijing from 2013 through 2019. CNY
celebrations include burning of fireworks and firecrackers, which
consequently has a significant short-term impact on local air quality. In
this study, we bring together comprehensive observations at the
newly constructed Aerosol and Haze Laboratory at Beijing University of
Chemical Technology – West Campus (BUCT-AHL) and hourly measurements from
12 Chinese government air quality measurement stations throughout the
Beijing metropolitan area. These datasets are used together to provide a
detailed analysis of air quality during the CNY over multiple years, during
which the city of Beijing prohibited the use of fireworks and firecrackers
in an effort to reduce air pollution before CNY 2018. Datasets used in this
study include particulate matter mass concentrations (PM2.5 and
PM10), trace gases (NOx, SO2, O3, and CO), and
meteorological variables for 2013–2019; aerosol particle size distributions;
and concentrations of sulfuric acid and black carbon for 2018 and 2019.
Studying the CNY over several years, which has rarely been done in previous
studies, can show trends and effects of societal and policy changes over
time, and the results can be applied to study problems and potential
solutions of air pollution resulting from holiday celebrations. Our results
show that during the 2018 CNY, air pollutant concentrations peaked during
the CNY night (for example, PM2.5 reached a peak around midnight of
over 250 µg cm−3, compared to values of less than 50 µg cm−3 earlier in the day). The pollutants with the most notable spikes
were sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and black carbon, which are emitted
in burning of fireworks and firecrackers. Sulfuric acid concentration
followed the sulfur dioxide concentration and showed elevated overnight
concentration. Analysis of aerosol particle number size distribution showed
direct emissions of particles with diameters around 100 nm in relation to
firework burning. During the 2019 CNY, the pollution levels were somewhat
lower (PM2.5 peaking at around 150 µg cm−3 on CNY compared
to values around 100 µg cm−3 earlier in the day), and only minor
peaks related to firework burning were observed. During both CNYs 2018 and
2019 secondary aerosol formation in terms of particle growth was observed.
Meteorological conditions were comparable between these 2 years,
suggesting that CNY-related emissions were less in 2019 compared to 2018.
During the 7-year study period, it appears that there has been a general
decrease in CNY-related emissions since 2016. For example, the peak in
PM2.5 in 2016 was over 600 µg cm−3, and in the years
following, the peak was less each year, with a peak around 150 µg cm−3 in 2019. This is indicative of the restrictions and public
awareness of the air quality issues having a positive effect on improving
air quality during the CNY. Going into the future, long-term observations
will offer confirmation for these trends.