scholarly journals Changes in outdoor air pollution due to COVID-19 lockdowns differ by pollutant: evidence from Scotland

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 798-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruaraidh Dobson ◽  
Sean Semple
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Outdoor Air ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Hourly Data ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in March/April 2020 on concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution measured at roadside monitors across Scotland by comparing data with previous years.MethodsPublicly available data of PM2.5 concentrations from reference monitoring systems at sites across Scotland were extracted for the 31-day period immediately following the imposition of lockdown rules on 23 March 2020. Similar data for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were gathered for comparison. Mean period values were calculated from the hourly data and logged values compared using pairwise t-tests. Weather effects were corrected using meteorological normalisation.ResultsNO2 concentrations were significantly lower in the 2020 lockdown period than in the previous 3 years (p<0.001). Mean outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in 2020 were much lower than during the same period in 2019 (p<0.001). However, despite UK motor vehicle journeys reducing by 65%, concentrations in 2020 were within 1 µg/m3 of those measured in 2017 (p=0.66) and 2018 (p<0.001), suggesting that traffic-related emissions may not explain variability of PM2.5 in outdoor air in Scotland.ConclusionsThe impact of reductions in motor vehicle journeys during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions may not have reduced ambient PM2.5 concentrations in some countries. There is also a need for work to better understand how movement restrictions may have impacted personal exposure to air pollutants generated within indoor environments.

scholarly journals Modeling the Impact of an Indoor Air Filter on Air Pollution Exposure Reduction and Associated Mortality in Urban Delhi Household

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1391
Author(s):  
Jiawen Liao ◽  
Wenlu Ye ◽  
Ajay Pillarisetti ◽  
Thomas F. Clasen
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Air Filter ◽  
Indoor Exposure ◽  
Pm2.5 Exposure ◽  
The Impact

Indoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a prominent health concern. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of long-term use of indoor air filters for reduction of PM2.5 exposure and associated decrease in adverse health impacts in urban India. We conducted 20 simulations of yearlong personal exposure to PM2.5 in urban Delhi using the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s CONTAM program (NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Simulation scenarios were developed to examine different air filter efficiencies, use schedules, and the influence of a smoker at home. We quantified associated mortality reductions with Household Air Pollution Intervention Tool (HAPIT, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA). Without an air filter, we estimated an annual mean PM2.5 personal exposure of 103 µg/m3 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 93, 112) and 137 µg/m3 (95% CI: 125, 149) for households without and with a smoker, respectively. All day use of a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter would reduce personal PM2.5 exposure to 29 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3, respectively. The reduced personal PM2.5 exposure from air filter use is associated with 8–37% reduction in mortality attributable to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi. The findings of this study indicate that air filter may provide significant improvements in indoor air quality and result in health benefits.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Lockdown Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Air Pollution: The Greek Paradigm

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6748
Author(s):  
Ourania S. Kotsiou ◽  
Georgios K. D. Saharidis ◽  
Georgios Kalantzis ◽  
Evangelos C. Fradelos ◽  
Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Wireless Sensors ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Guideline Value ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pm2.5 Concentration

Introduction: Responding to the coronavirus pandemic, Greece implemented the largest quarantine in its history. No data exist regarding its impact on PM2.5 pollution. We aimed to assess PM2.5 levels before, during, and after lockdown (7 March 2020–16 May 2020) in Volos, one of Greece’s most polluted industrialized cities, and compare PM2.5 levels with those obtained during the same period last year. Meteorological conditions were examined as confounders. Methods: The study period was discriminated into three phases (pre-lockdown: 7 March–9 March, lockdown: 10 March–4 May, and post-lockdown period: 5 May–16 May). A wireless sensors network was used to collect PM2.5, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and wind speed data every 2 s. Results: The lockdown resulted in a significant drop of PM2.5 by 37.4% in 2020, compared to 2019 levels. The mean daily concentrations of PM2.5 exceeded the WHO’s guideline value for 24-h mean levels of PM2.5 35% of the study period. During the strictest lockdown (23 March to 4 May), the mean daily PM2.5 levels exceeded the standard 41% of the time. The transition from the pre-lockdown period into lockdown or post-lockdown periods was associated with lower PM2.5 concentrations. Conclusions: A reduction in the mean daily PM2.5 concentration was found compared to 2019. Lockdown was not enough to avoid severe exceedances of air pollution in Volos.

scholarly journals Short-term effect of fine particulate matter and ozone on non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality in Lishui district, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqi Chen ◽  
Zhigang Jiao ◽  
Ping Chen ◽  
Lijun Fan ◽  
Xudan Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Respiratory Mortality ◽  
Population Attributable Fractions ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Attributable Fractions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background In recent years, air pollution has become an imminent problem in China. Few studies have investigated the impact of air pollution on the mortality of the middle-aged and elderly people. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) and O3 (ozone) on non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality of the middle-aged and elderly people in Lishui District of Nanjing and provide the evidence for potential prevention and control measures of air pollution. Method Using daily mortality and atmospheric monitoring data from 2015 to 2019, we applied a generalized additive model with time-series analysis to evaluate the association of PM2.5 and O3 exposure with daily non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality in Lishui District. Using the population attributable fractions to estimate the death burden caused by short-term exposure to O3 and PM2.5。. Result For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, non-accidental mortality increased 0.94% with 95% confidence interval (CI) between 0.05 and 1.83%, and PM2.5 had a more profound impact on females than males. For every 10 μg/m3 increase in O3, respiratory mortality increased 1.35% (95% CI: 0.05, 2.66%) and O3 had a more profound impact on males than females. Compared with the single pollutant model, impact of the two-pollutant model on non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality slightly decreased. In summer and winter as opposed to the other seasons, O3 had a more obvious impact on non-accidental mortality. The population attributable fractions of non-accidental mortality were 0.84% (95% CI:0.00, 1.63%) for PM2.5 and respiratory mortality were 0.14% (95% CI:0.01, 0.26%) for O3. For every 10 μg/m3 decrease in PM2.5, 122 (95% CI: 6, 237) non-accidental deaths could be avoided. For every 10 μg/m3 decrease in O3, 10 (95% CI: 1, 38) respiratory deaths could be avoided. Conclusion PM2.5 and O3 could significantly increase the risk of non-accidental and respiratory mortality in the middle-aged and elderly people in Lishui District of Nanjing. Exposed to air pollutants, men were more susceptible to O3 damage, and women were more susceptible to PM2.5 damage. Reduction of PM2.5 and O3 concentration in the air may have the potential to avoid considerable loss of lives.

scholarly journals Particulate Pollution and the Productivity of Pear Packers

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Chang ◽  
Joshua Graff Zivin ◽  
Tal Gross ◽  
Matthew Neidell
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Outdoor Air ◽  
Worker Productivity ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Sizable Fraction ◽  
Total Welfare

We study the effect of outdoor air pollution on the productivity of indoor workers at a pear-packing factory. Increases in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a pollutant that readily penetrates indoors, leads to significant decreases in productivity, with effects arising at levels below air quality standards. In contrast, pollutants that do not travel indoors, such as ozone, have little, if any, effect on productivity. This effect of outdoor pollution on indoor worker productivity suggests an overlooked consequence of pollution. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest the labor savings from nationwide reductions in PM2.5 generated a sizable fraction of total welfare benefits. (JEL D24, J24, L66, Q13, Q51, Q53)

scholarly journals Assessment of PM2.5 Exposure during Cycle Trips in The Netherlands Using Low-Cost Sensors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6007
Author(s):  
Joost Wesseling ◽  
Wouter Hendricx ◽  
Henri de Ruiter ◽  
Sjoerd van Ratingen ◽  
Derko Drukker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Background Concentrations ◽  
Fine Particulate

Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is a major environmental risk factor for human health in Europe. Monitoring of air quality takes place using expensive reference stations. Low-cost sensors are a promising addition to this official monitoring network as they add spatial and temporal resolution at low cost. Moreover, low-cost sensors might allow for better characterization of personal exposure to PM2.5. In this study, we use 500 dust (PM2.5) sensors mounted on bicycles to estimate typical PM2.5 levels to which cyclists are exposed in the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands, in the year 2020. We use co-located sensors at reference stations to calibrate and validate the mobile sensor data. We estimate that the average exposure to traffic related PM2.5, on top of background concentrations, is approximately 2 μg/m3. Our results suggest that cyclists close to major roads have a small, but consistently higher exposure to PM2.5 compared to routes with less traffic. The results allow for a detailed spatial representation of PM2.5 concentrations and show that choosing a different cycle route might lead to a lower exposure to PM2.5. Finally, we conclude that the use of mobile, low-cost sensors is a promising method to estimate exposure to air pollution.

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