People suffering from asthma, bronchitis and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) should take extra care of themselves during Diwali as experts say their medical condition can aggravate around the festival.

Last year around Diwali, the tiniest form of suspended air pollutant - PM 2.5- had seen an increase of 152% from the previous year, according to the ambient air quality report of Lucknow by Indian Institute of Toxicology Research Centre (IITR). Being small in size, PM 2.5 travels easily through the respiratory tract, sticking to the lungs, causing short term effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath, apart from worsening asthmatic and heart conditions.

Long term exposure causes increased rate of chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function. Heart patients should also take prevention.