Remember, remember the 5th of November; Gunpowder, particles and smog

Abstract

In the UK on 5 November, Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks. An undesirable consequence of these activities is a statistically significant reduction (~25%) in atmospheric visibility nationwide. This reduction is caused by increased loading of atmospheric particulate matter generated by bonfires and fireworks. The effect of this increased loading on visibility is investigated in greater detail for the city of Nottingham, where larger visibility decreases compared to the national average are observed. Visibility reduction is more significant when the background particulate matter loading and/or the atmospheric relative humidity are high.