Sivakasi Air Quality Index (AQI) & Air Pollution Today
Tamil Nadu, India — Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5
Sivakasi AQI Right Now
Category: Good
Dominant Pollutant: pm10
PM2.5: 10 µg/m³
PM10: 23.56 µg/m³
Last updated: 2026-03-24 — Data source: Google Air Quality API (NAQI). Live NAQI values load when you visit the page.
Sivakasi Pollutant Levels
| Pollutant | Concentration |
|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 10 µg/m³ |
| PM10 | 23.56 µg/m³ |
| O₃ (Ozone) | 42.27 µg/m³ |
| NO₂ | 8.92 µg/m³ |
| SO₂ | 1.57 µg/m³ |
| CO | 296.59 µg/m³ |
Health Advisory — Sivakasi
Good: Minimal impact on health. Great day to be outdoors!
Health Impact — Sivakasi
Cigarette Equivalent: Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking 0.5 cigarettes per day (based on current PM2.5 levels).
Health Recommendations for Sivakasi
- General Population: Air quality is satisfactory. Enjoy outdoor activities.
- Elderly: No special precautions needed.
- Children: Great day for outdoor play.
- Lung Disease Patients: No restrictions on outdoor activities.
Understanding Sivakasi Air Quality
Sivakasi experiences a unique air quality pattern driven by its dominance of India's fireworks industry. Unlike most Indian cities where winter brings peak pollution, Sivakasi's worst air quality occurs from July through October-the intensive manufacturing season when thousands of units ramp up production for Diwali and other festivals. During these months, the town's air becomes laden with sulfur dioxide, barium, strontium, potassium perchlorate, and heavy metallic particulates from pyrotechnic manufacturing processes. The combination of chemical mixing, drying operations, and raw material handling releases fine particulates that can penetrate deep into respiratory systems.
The scale of production is staggering: with 90% of India's fireworks originating from Sivakasi, the concentration of manufacturing units creates localized pollution hotspots that affect the entire town. Chemical compounds used in colored fireworks-barium for green, strontium for red, copper for blue-contribute metallic aerosols to the air. Workers and residents alike face exposure to sulfur fumes, oxidizer dust, and combustion byproducts. The monsoon months overlap with peak manufacturing, meaning rain provides only limited relief as indoor production continues unabated.
Post-Diwali, from November through June, manufacturing activity decreases significantly and air quality improves markedly. However, the town still maintains baseline industrial emissions from year-round match manufacturing and printing industries. Summer heat from March to May elevates dust levels, but the absence of intensive fireworks production means overall pollution remains moderate. Sivakasi's air quality challenge is thus seasonal but severe, requiring heightened awareness during the critical July-October manufacturing period.
Primary Pollution Sources
- Fireworks manufacturing emissions with sulfur and heavy metals
- Barium and strontium compounds from pyrotechnics
- Potassium perchlorate and oxidizer dust
- Industrial chemical processing
- Vehicular and commercial emissions
Geography: India's fireworks capital producing 90% of the nation's fireworks, with intensive pyrotechnic manufacturing and chemical processing industries.
Peak pollution months: July, August, September, October
Frequently Asked Questions — Sivakasi
Why is Sivakasi's pollution worst during July-October instead of winter?
Sivakasi produces 90% of India's fireworks, and July-October is the peak manufacturing season when thousands of units prepare inventory for Diwali and other festivals. This period sees intensive production of pyrotechnics, releasing sulfur compounds, barium, strontium, potassium perchlorate, and heavy metals into the air. Unlike typical urban pollution that peaks in winter, Sivakasi's pollution is driven by seasonal industrial activity.
What specific chemicals from fireworks affect Sivakasi's air?
Fireworks manufacturing releases sulfur dioxide from black powder, barium compounds (green colors), strontium (red), copper (blue), potassium perchlorate (oxidizer), and aluminum/magnesium dust (sparkle effects). These create fine particulate matter containing heavy metals that can be inhaled. Manufacturing processes also release chemical vapors from mixing, binding, and drying operations throughout the production cycle.
Air Quality in Nearby Cities
- Virudhunagar AQI — Tamil Nadu
- Kovilpatti AQI — Tamil Nadu
- Sankarankoil AQI — Tamil Nadu
- Madurai AQI — Tamil Nadu
- Tenkasi AQI — Tamil Nadu
- Kovilkalappal AQI — Tamil Nadu