Pollution fears dampen Beijing's Lunar New Year firework displays

The annual Lunar New Year firework displays in Beijing were notably muted following government appeals to reduce the smoky celebrations after air pollution rose to near catastrophic levels over recent weeks.

Elsewhere on the mainland, air pollution worsened during the first few days of the holiday due to smoke from fireworks.

Provincial capitals including Hangzhou, Xian and Nanjing all reported high readings of PM2.5, fine particles that are extremely dangerous to human health.

Beijing saw almost twice the number of smoggy days as usual last month, with levels of small-particle air pollution going off the charts at times. That prompted calls for restraint, along with a reduction in the number of licensed firework sellers and the amount of pyrotechnics on sale.

The fusillades that began on Lunar New Year's eve on Saturday night started later than usual, but still grew to furious intensity at midnight. They also died out earlier than usual on Sunday morning, and few explosions were heard during the day.

Setting off fireworks to celebrate renewal and ward off evil spirits forms a traditional part of the country's most important family holiday.

Sales of fireworks from Tuesday to Saturday fell 37 per cent over the same period last year, from 410,000 cartons to just 260,000, Xinhua reported, citing figures from the city government. The capital authorised 1,337 firework stands this year, down from 1,429 last year, and allowed 750,000 cartons of fireworks to go on sale, down from 810,000.

The Beijing Daily, the city government's official newspaper, carried appeals last week for residents to hold off on firework celebrations, saying not doing so would significantly worsen levels of PM2.5 pollution forecast to be in the hazardous zone.

City environmental bureau readings showed levels well above 200 in most parts of the city on Sunday, dangerous but still well below readings of more than 700 seen last month, when Beijing experienced 23 days of smog, up from 10 the previous January. Last year's firework displays created a thick haze that sent PM2.5 pollution levels as high as 1,500.

Beijing was largely helpless in the face of the January smog, with schools cancelling outdoor activities, some factories closing and government cars ordered off the streets. Scores of people, especially the young and elderly, were treated in hospital for respiratory problems, elevated blood pressure and heart complaints.

Beijing saw just 25 injuries and 83 fire emergencies related to pyrotechnics on Saturday night, down 29 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively, from last year.

The capital permits firework displays over a 16-day period surrounding the Lunar New Year holiday, but largely restricts them to suburban areas outside the densely populated city centre.

The holiday will continue through the week, with government offices and businesses shut down and millions of people using the time off work to take trips to their hometowns.

Additional reporting by Staff Reporters