scholarly journals Assessing the Immediate Effect of Covid-19 Lockdown on Air Quality: A Case Study of Delhi, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Ankit Sikarwar ◽  
Ritu Rani
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Spatial Interpolation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
Distance Weighting ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The City ◽  
Inverse Distance

Abstract In India, a nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 has been implemented on 25 March 2020. The lockdown restrictions on more than 1.3 billion people have brought exceptional changes in the air quality all over the country. This study aims to analyze the levels of three major pollutants: particulate matter sized 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and 10 μm (PM10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) before and during the lockdown in Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities. The data for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations are derived from 38 ground stations dispersed within the city. The spatial interpolation maps of pollutants for two times are generated using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) model. The results indicate decreasing levels of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations in the city by 93%, 83%, and 70% from 25 February 2020 to 21 April 2020 respectively. It is found that one month before the lockdown the levels of air pollution in Delhi were critical and much higher than the guideline values set by the World Health Organization. The levels of air pollution became historically low after the lockdown. Considering the critically degraded air quality for decades and higher morbidity and mortality rate due to unhealthy air in Delhi, the improvement in air quality due to lockdown may result as a boon for the better health of the city’s population.

scholarly journals Assessing the immediate effect of COVID-19 lockdown on air quality: A case study of Delhi, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankit Sikarwar ◽  
Ritu Rani
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Spatial Interpolation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
Distance Weighting ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The City ◽  
Inverse Distance

Abstract In India, the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 has been implemented on 25 March 2020. The lockdown restrictions on more than 1.3 billion people have brought exceptional changes in the air quality all over the country. This study aims to analyze the levels of three major pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, and NO2) before and during the lockdown in Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities. The data for PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations are derived from 38 ground stations dispersed within the city. The spatial interpolation maps of pollutants for two times are generated using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) model. The results indicate the lowering of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations in the city by 93%, 83%, and 70% from 25 February 2020 to 21 April 2020 respectively. It is found that before one month of the lockdown the levels of air pollution in Delhi were critically high and far beyond the guideline values set by the World Health Organization. The levels of air pollution are historically low after the lockdown. Considering the critically degraded air quality for decades and higher morbidity and mortality rate due to unhealthy air in Delhi, the improvement in air quality due to lockdown may result as a boon for the better health of the city’s population.

scholarly journals IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION SUPPORT FOR MONITORING AIR POLLUTION FROM VEHICLES (CASE STUDY OF ST. PETERSBURG)

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
V. N. Lozhkin ◽  
◽  
O. V. Lozhkina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Information Process ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Standard Limit ◽  
The City ◽  
Original Information

Introduction. St. Petersburg is the cultural and sea capital of Russia. The city is characterized by environmental problems typical for the largest cities in the world. It has a technical system for instrumental online monitoring and computational forecasting of air quality. Methods. The system maintains the information process by means of computational monitoring of its current and future state. Results. The paper describes methodological approaches to the generation of instrumental information about the structure and intensity of traffic flows in the urban road network and its digital transformation into GIS maps of air pollution in terms of pollutants standard limit values excess. Conclusion. The original information technology for air quality control was introduced at the regional level in the form of an official methodology and is used in environmental management activities.

scholarly journals Long-Term Assessment of Air Quality and Identification of Aerosol Sources at Setúbal, Portugal

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Viana Silva ◽  
Cristina M. Oliveira ◽  
Nuno Canha ◽  
Ana Isabel Miranda ◽  
Susana Marta Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Urban Traffic ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
Health Organization

Understanding air pollution in urban areas is crucial to identify mitigation actions that may improve air quality and, consequently, minimize human exposure to air pollutants and their impact. This study aimed to assess the temporal evolution of the air quality in the city of Setúbal (Portugal) during a time period of 10 years (2003–2012), by evaluating seasonal trends of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, O3, NO, NO2 and NOx) measured in nine monitoring stations. In order to identify emission sources of particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 were characterized in two different areas (urban traffic and industrial) in winter and summer and, afterwards, source apportionment was performed by means of Positive Matrix Factorization. Overall, the air quality has been improving over the years with a decreasing trend of air pollutant concentration, with the exception of O3. Despite this improvement, levels of PM10, O3 and nitrogen oxides still do not fully comply with the requirements of European legislation, as well as with the guideline values of the World Health Organization (WHO). The main anthropogenic sources contributing to local PM levels were traffic, industry and wood burning, which should be addressed by specific mitigation measures in order to minimize their impact on the local air quality.

scholarly journals Issuances of Automotive Vehicles and the Impacts on Air Quality in the Largest City in the Brazilian Amazon

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Cartaxo ◽  
Ilsa Valois ◽  
Vladimiro Miranda ◽  
Marcia Costa
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The City ◽  
Over Time

Manaus, a city of more than two million people, suffers problems arising from strong sunlight and aggravated by several factors, such as traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by evaporation and burning of fuel. The present study examined Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions in an urban area of the city using different methodologies. CO and NO2 were measured using automated and passive analyzers, respectively. Meanwhile, direct monitoring of these pollutants was performed in vehicular sources in the vicinity of sampling locations. Results showed that levels of carbon monoxide vary over time, being higher during peak movement of vehicles. NO2 values have exceeded the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and monitoring at source showed high levels of CO and NO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Risk Assessment for the Population of Kyiv, Ukraine as a Result of Atmospheric Air Pollution

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (25) ◽  
pp. 200303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Popov ◽  
Andrii Iatsyshyn ◽  
Valeriia Kovach ◽  
Volodymyr Artemchuk ◽  
Iryna Kameneva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
World Health ◽  
State Monitoring ◽  
Atmospheric Air ◽  
Map Design ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Human Health Effects

Background. According to the World Health Organization, 92% of the world's population lives in places where air quality levels exceed recommended limits. Recently, Ukraine had the most deaths per every 100,000 people (out of 120 countries) attributed to atmospheric air pollution. High levels of atmospheric air pollution have been observed not only in typically industrial regions, but in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, as well. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to establish the state of air pollution in Kyiv and perform a risk assessment of associated human health effects. Methods. Using official statistics and state monitoring data, the study aimed to identify and analyze risks to the health of Kyiv's population associated with air pollution. The following methods were used: systematic, functional and comparative analysis, risk theory, mathematical modeling, probability theory and mathematical statistics, as well as geographic information system technologies for digital map design and objective-oriented methodology for software design systems. Results. The risk values across different areas of the city varied significantly, indicating that atmospheric air quality remains unstable. Areas with the highest and lowest risk values were identified. Conclusions. The environmental state of atmospheric air in Kyiv requires greater attention and additional research to identify the causes of air pollution, along with implementation of measures to improve air quality. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

scholarly journals Indoor Air Quality, Information, and Socioeconomic Status: Evidence from Delhi

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 420-424
Author(s):  
Michael Greenstone ◽  
Kenneth Lee ◽  
Harshil Sahai
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quality Information ◽  
Air Purifier ◽  
Health Organization

In Delhi, one of the world's most polluted cities, there is relatively little information on indoor air pollution and how it varies by socioeconomic status (SES). Using indoor air quality monitors (IAQMs), we find that winter levels of household air pollution exceed World Health Organization standards by more than 20 times in both high-and low-SES households. We then evaluate a field experiment that randomly assigned monthlong IAQM user trials across medium-and high-SES households but suffered from significant survey non-response. Among respondents, IAQMs did not affect take-up of subsidized air purifier rentals or other defensive behavior.

scholarly journals UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN URBAN PUBLIC SPACES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY. CASE STUDY OF TEHRAN, IRAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elnaz Esfandfard ◽  
Mohammad Hussaini Wahab ◽  
Rohayah Che Amat
Keyword(s):  
Universal Design ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
World Health ◽  
Applied Theory ◽  
The People ◽  
People With Disability ◽  
City District ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The City

Urban public spaces play important role in providing good quality of life to the people living in the city. This is in line with the social goal on sustainable development, which the purpose is to attain a higher social equity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of global population are disabled. During the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, many of the victims in Iran were left disabled. The war left many people injured and this has significantly increased the impairment rate. Amongst the problems faced by people with disability in Tehran are difficulty traveling in the city, lack of public facilities and accessibility to particular facilities such as urban public spaces. This study first sought a definition of urban public spaces and Universal Design, and then finding solution for increasing interaction of people with disability in urban public spaces through Universal Design approach. This research was based on applied theory and qualitative method of field observation was engaged. One of the city district in Tehran was chosen for a case study. Based on the findings, urban design methods and solutions were suggested to increase the interaction and comfort of disabled people in urban public spaces.

APPLICATION OF AIR QUALITY INDEX AND INVERSE DISTANCE WEIGHTING FOR MAPPING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AIR POLLUTION AT SEVERAL URBAN DISTRICTS OF HANOI CITY

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 189-200
Author(s):  
Khac Dang Vu ◽  
Anh Nguyen Thi Van
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Inverse Distance Weighting ◽  
Air Quality Index ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Urban Districts ◽  
Distance Weighting ◽  
Inverse Distance

The air pollution level can be assessed using air quality index - AQI calculated from the concentration of some gases and particle matters which are measured at ambient air quality monitoring stations. The calculated AQI values are characterized by temporal continuity but spatial discontinuity. However, AQI values of each monitoring station is interpolated by the IDW (Inverse Distance Weighting) method in GIS which helps us to assess the air quality at a detailed and specific level for every location in the study area by establishing distribution maps of air pollution. The interpolation of AQI values for zoning air quality in several urban districts of Hanoi during the Winter (October, November, December 2019) shows that in general, the areas with a very bad level of air quality occupied an important surface in the Northwest of urban districts (on the territory of Bac Tu Liem, Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, Cau Giay) for last 3 months of the year. The areas with a bad level of air quality occupied a large surface in the Southeast in October and December, but its surface became narrow in November. But in November, areas having a bad level of air quality were expanded to the Southeast while they occupied only a small surface at the center of the study area in October and December. Although the distribution of each level vary in terms of coverage, their common pattern has been conserved during three months of Winter. The distribution map of air quality provides the complete picture of the air pollution situation and it helps to adequately evaluate this issue in the urban districts of Hanoi city.

scholarly journals Opinion: Insights into updating Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50EC)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Kuula ◽  
Hilkka Timonen ◽  
Jarkko V. Niemi ◽  
Hanna Manninen ◽  
Topi Rönkkö ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
World Health ◽  
Ambient Air Quality ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Air Quality Guidelines

Abstract. As the evidence for the adverse health effects of air pollution continues to increase, World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its latest edition of the Global Air Quality Guidelines. Although not legally binding, the guidelines aim to provide a framework in which policymakers can combat air pollution by formulating evidence-based air quality management strategies. In the light of this, European Union has stated its intent to revise the current Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) to resemble closer to that of the newly published WHO guidelines. This article provides an informed opinion on selected features of the air quality directive that we believe would benefit from a reassessment. The selected features include discussion about 1) air quality sensors as a part of hierarchical observation network, 2) number of minimum sampling points and their siting criteria, and 3) new target air pollution parameters for future consideration.

scholarly journals UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN URBAN PUBLIC SPACES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY. CASE STUDY OF TEHRAN, IRAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elnaz Esfandfard ◽  
Mohammad Hussaini Wahab ◽  
Rohayah Che Amat
Keyword(s):  
Universal Design ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
World Health ◽  
Applied Theory ◽  
The People ◽  
People With Disability ◽  
City District ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The City

Urban public spaces play important role in providing good quality of life to the people living in the city. This is in line with the social goal on sustainable development, which the purpose is to attain a higher social equity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of global population are disabled. During the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, many of the victims in Iran were left disabled. The war left many people injured and this has significantly increased the impairment rate. Amongst the problems faced by people with disability in Tehran are difficulty traveling in the city, lack of public facilities and accessibility to particular facilities such as urban public spaces. This study first sought a definition of urban public spaces and Universal Design, and then finding solution for increasing interaction of people with disability in urban public spaces through Universal Design approach. This research was based on applied theory and qualitative method of field observation was engaged. One of the city district in Tehran was chosen for a case study. Based on the findings, urban design methods and solutions were suggested to increase the interaction and comfort of disabled people in urban public spaces.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document