부산대학교 도서관

Burning incense, joss paper and firecrackers during the festival activities could affect the atmospheric concentrations of particular matters (PM). This study was to investigate the temporal changes in atmospheric PM level during the period of festival activities in Puzi, Chiayi County. Hourly concentrations of PM and meteorological variables [temperature, relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (WS)] were obtained from the Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network. Descriptive statistics (mean, median, quartile and standard deviation) and one-way ANOVA were applied to investigate the effects of festival activities [Tianshang shengmu (天上聖母聖誕), Hu Ye (虎爺聖誕)] on the atmospheric concentrations of PM in the community. The Generalized Estimating Equation was applied to analyze the effects of the different period of religious activities and meteorological variables on the atmospheric concentrations of PM. The highest level of PM_(2.5) (particles with an aerodynamic size of ≤ 2.5 μm) was 38.22 (Tianshang shengmu) and 11.21 μg/m^3 (Hu Ye) on the day of activities, respectively; moreover, the highest level of PM_(10) (particles with an aerodynamic size of ≤ 10 μm) was 86.52 and 42.38 μg/m^3 on the day of activities, respectively. The different time on festival activity and climatic conditions could have different effects on the PM levels in the community. RH had significant effects on the PM levels in the community in both festival activities; however, WS only had significant effects on the PM_(10) levels. Exploring the effects of festival activities on the atmospheric concentrations of PM, it should be better to consider the climatic conditions. The information provided by this study may be helpful to better understand the effects of festival activities on the PM in the community and play value on the effects of meteorological variables for the government-related units; moreover, to educate the public should make personal health management when take part in the festival activities.