Why do firecracker emissions sometimes linger in the air?

A: Emissions from firecrackers can linger when local atmospheric conditions keep the pollutants from dispersing or being moved away.

For example, winds can carry pollutants away from their source and dilute them in cleaner air. When the winds are weak, smoke and fine particles can accumulate near where firecrackers are burst. If people also repeatedly burst firecrackers over several hours, the pollutants can fill the air faster than they can be dispersed.