International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2015 34 ISSN 2278-7763 Copyright © 2015 SciResPub. IJOART Comparative Study of Air Quality in Jabalpur during Diwali Festival R.K. SRIVASTAVA, KALPANA SAGAR & GUFRAN BEIG* Environmental Research Laboratory, P.G. Department of Environmental Science, Govt. Model Science College (Autonomous), NAAC RE-Accredited – ‘A’ Grade, College with Potential for Excellence, UGC, Jabalpur 482001(M.P.) India *Senior scientist-F and programme director, Indian Institute of Tropical meteorology (IITM ) Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune- 411008, Maharashtra, India ABSTRACT The Air Quality Monitoring Data is generated from Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS) under the ministry of earth sciences, New Delhi, INDIA, to study the trends in annual average concentration air pollutants during Diwali festival of Particulate Matter (PM) in Jablapur. The ambient air quality monitoring network involves measurement of a number of air pollutants. A variety of methods exist to measure particulate matter as well as gaseous pollutants in air. This study evaluates the effects of particulate air pollution associated short-term exposure of particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) in Diwali festival. Fireworks display during festive celebrations can cause acute short term air pollution. Concentration of air pollutants such as particulate pollutants (PM 10 & PM 2.5 ) and gaseous pollutants CO, NO 2 & CH 4 was monitored for six consecutive days during Diwali in, a densely populated residential area near, Jabalpur, India for assessing the impacts of fireworks on ambient air quality. The study was conducted for three consecutive years i.e. 2012, 2013 and 2014. The result shows that air quality deteriorates during Diwali festival is due to the use of excessive amount of firecrackers. A comparative account of three years air quality data is also presented. Keyword: Particulate Matter (PM 10 , PM 2.5 ), Air Quality, Meteorological Parameter, firework comparison of air quality, Diwali festival.\ IJOART