English Abstract A sharp increase of atmospheric pollutants was observed
during the festivities at the turn of the year 1992. Concentrations of fine
particles (PM10) over the first day of the new year were more than 200
mug/m3. During the first hour of 1993, concentrations of 1,000 - 10,000
mug/m3 are estimated in the centres of large cities. Concentrations of
heavy metals in this dust were low. Other compounds, such as nitrogen
oxides, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, did not noticeably increase
after the fireworks. The air pollution may have caused acute health
effects. Visibility in or near domestic areas, was reduced to several tens
of meters. Locally, further visibility reductions, due to fire works, are
expected. These extreme concentrations, due to various meteorological
conditions, may occur once in a decade.
