Fine particles (PM2.5) in ambient air of Lucknow city due to fireworks on Diwali festival

People burn crackers world over on different occasions in different countries to express their happiness. Fireworks in large amounts aggravate the level of air pollutants and cause significant short-term air quality degradation with possible impact on human health. Fine particles (PM2.5 < or = 2.5 microm), which may pose detrimental effects on human health and ecosystems were monitored in a residential area of Lucknow city to assess the elevated level due to bursting of firecrackers during Diwali festival. The 24 hr mean PM2.5 of normal day, pre Diwali day, Diwali day and post Diwali day was found to be 124, 154, 352 and 174 microg m(-3) respectively and much above the US-EPA limit (65 microg m(-3)). The 12 hr mean concentration of PM2.5 on Diwali night (591 microg m(-3)) increased 3.9 fold than the respective night of normal day (159 microg m(-3)) and was significantly higher (p