scholarly journals Influence of air pollution and meteorological parameters on COVID-19: An overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-586
Author(s):  
Anbu Clemensis Johnson

The spread of Covid-19 has been rampant across the globe, and studies have indicated a connection between the spike in infection and air pollution. The literature review has shown that the link between the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the disease and air pollutants is still inconclusive. Current evidence from the studies point out two main contributing mechanisms for the spread of the virus: (1) the weakening of the human natural defence mechanism by the air pollutants facilitates virus entry and replication; (2) particulate matter facilitates the airborne transport of vectors. Meteorological parameters also play a significant role in the transmission of the virus. Ultraviolet radiation was negatively correlated with the number of COVID-19 cases, while wind speed was positively correlated. Temperature and humidity increases were associated with a decrease in the number of infections. Some studies have also shown no relationship between humidity and COVID-19 case numbers. Similarly, rainfall predominantly showed no significant correlation. More studies in this area are suggested to further understand the air pollutants effect on the virus, its interaction and the influence of meteorological parameters.

Author(s):  
Radhika M. Patil ◽  
Dr. H. T. Dinde ◽  
Sonali. K. Powar

Day by day the air pollution becomes serious concern in India as well as in overall world. Proper or accurate prediction or forecast of Air Quality or the concentration level of other Ambient air pollutants such as Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Particulate Matter having diameter less than 10µ, Particulate Matter having diameter less than 2.5µ, Ozone, etc. is very important because impact of these factors on human health becomes severe. This literature review focuses on the various techniques used for prediction or modelling of Air Quality Index (AQI) and forecasting of future concentration levels of pollutants that may cause the air pollution so that governing bodies can take the actions to reduce the pollution.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-221
Author(s):  
Sana’a Odata ◽  
Abu- Allabanb ◽  
Khitam Odibatb

Four threshold air pollutants (SO2, NO, NO2, and O3) in addition to meteorological parameters were monitored at the Campus of the Hashemite University (HU) for two years (1/1/2012 through 30/12/013). Correlations between air pollution and meteorological parameters were derived. The results showed that O3 has a positive correlation with air temperature, wind speed and wind direction, but has a negative correlation with the relative humidity (RH). SO2 was found to have a negative correlation with the RH and wind speed, but positive correlation with air temperature. NO has negative correlation with air temperature, RH, and wind speed. And finally, NO2 has a negative correlation with RH and wind speed, but it has positive correlation with air temperature. Justify the reasons in brief with recommendations to improve the air quality


Author(s):  
Wissanupong Kliengchuay ◽  
Aronrag Cooper Meeyai ◽  
Suwalee Worakhunpiset ◽  
Kraichat Tantrakarnapa

Meteorological parameters play an important role in determining the prevalence of ambient particulate matter (PM) in the upper north of Thailand. Mae Hong Son is a province located in this region and which borders Myanmar. This study aimed to determine the relationships between meteorological parameters and ambient concentrations of particulate matter less than 10 µm in diameter (PM10) in Mae Hong Son. Parameters were measured at an air quality monitoring station, and consisted of PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and meteorological factors, including temperature, rainfall, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, and relative humidity (RH). Nine years (2009–2017) of pollution and climate data obtained from the Thai Pollution Control Department (PCD) were used for analysis. The results of this study indicate that PM10 is influenced by meteorological parameters; high concentration occurred during the dry season and northeastern monsoon seasons. Maximum concentrations were always observed in March. The PM10 concentrations were significantly related to CO and O3 concentrations and to RH, giving correlation coefficients of 0.73, 0.39, and −0.37, respectively (p-value < 0.001). Additionally, the hourly PM10 concentration fluctuated within each day. In general, it was found that the reporting of daily concentrations might be best suited to public announcements and presentations. Hourly concentrations are recommended for public declarations that might be useful for warning citizens and organizations about air pollution. Our findings could be used to improve the understanding of PM10 concentration patterns in Mae Hong Son and provide information to better air pollution measures and establish a warning system for the province.


Author(s):  
Erum F H Kazi ◽  
Dr. Satish Kulkarni

Air pollution is one of major concerns in Pune City currently. Study highlights increase in Particulate matter from Vehicular sources & Urbanization in Karaj area is having harmful impact on the trees in the area. Leaf of Plant species such as Peepal( Ficusreligiosa),, Tamarind(Tamarindusindica), Rain tree( Samaneasaman), Ashoka( Saracaasoca), Manago( Mangiferaindica), Almond( Terminaliacatappa) , Banyan tree(Ficusbenghalensis) were selected and it was found that Ashoka( Saracaasoca), Mango tree( Mangiferaindica) showed Intermediate APTI whereas Peepal, Tamarind, Rain tree, Almond, Banyan tree were found to be Sensitive to pollution. KEYWORDS: Air Pollutants, APTI of plants, Total Chlorophyll, Ascorbic acid, p H of leaf, Relative water Content ( RWC)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Iorga ◽  
George-Bogdan Burghelea

&lt;p&gt;Present research contributes to scientific knowledge concerning spatial and temporal variation of major air pollutants with high resolution at the country scale bringing statistical information on concentrations of NOx, O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;, CO, SO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 10&amp;#160;&amp;#956;m (PM&lt;sub&gt;10&lt;/sub&gt;) and below 2.5&amp;#160;&amp;#956;m (PM&lt;sub&gt;2.5&lt;/sub&gt;) during the pandemic year 2020 using an observational data set from the Romanian National Air Quality Network in seven selected cities spread out over the country. These cities have different level of development, play regional roles, might have potential influence at European scale and they are expected to be impacted by different pollution sources. Among them, three cities (Bucharest, Bra&amp;#537;ov, Ia&amp;#537;i) appear frequently on the list of the European Commission with reference to the infringement procedure that the European Commission launched against Romania in the period 2007-2020 regarding air quality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Air pollutant data was complemented with local meteorological parameters at each site (atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, temperature, global solar radiation, wind speed and direction). Statistics of air pollutants provide us with an overview of air pollution in main Romanian cities.&amp;#160; Correlations between meteorological parameters and ambient pollutant levels were analyzed. Lowest air pollution levels were measured during the lockdown period in spring, as main traffic and non-essential activities were severely restricted. Among exceptions were the construction activities that were not interrupted. During 2020, some of selected cities experienced few pollution episodes which were due to dust transport from Sahara desert. However, in Bucharest metropolitan area, some cases with high pollution level were found correlated with local anthropogenic activity namely, waste incinerations. Air mass origins were investigated for 72 hours back by computing the air mass backward trajectories using the HYSPLIT model. Dust load and spatial distribution of the aerosol optical depth with BSC-DREAM8b v2.0 and NMBM/BSC-Dust models showed the area with dust particles transport during the dust events.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The obtained results are important for investigations of sources of air pollution and for modeling of air quality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acknowledgment:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The research leading to these results has received funding from the NO Grants 2014-2021, under Project contract no. 31/2020, EEA-RO-NO-2019-0423 project. NOAA Air Resources Laboratory for HYSPLIT transport model, available at READY website https://www.ready.noaa.gov &amp;#160;and the Barcelona dust forecast center for BSC-DREAM8b and NMBM/BSC-Dust models, available at: &amp;#160;https://ess.bsc.es/bsc-dust-daily-forecast are also acknowledged. The data regarding ground-based air pollution and meteorology by site was extracted from the public available Romanian National Air Quality Database, www.calitateaer.ro.&lt;/p&gt;


Author(s):  
Janis Kleperis ◽  
Gunars Bajars ◽  
Ingrida Bremere ◽  
Martins Menniks ◽  
Arturs Viksna ◽  
...  

Air Quality in Riga and Its Improvement Options Air quality in the city of Riga is evaluated from direct monitoring results and from accounting registered air pollutants in the city. It is concluded that from all air polluting substances listed in the European Commission directives, only nitrogen dioxide NO2 and particulate matter PM10 exceed the limits. In assessing the projected measures to improve air quality in Riga, it can be concluded that the implementation of cleaner fuels and improvements in energy efficiency of household and industrial sectors will decrease particle pollution, but measures in the transport sector will also contribute to reducing air pollution from nitrogen oxides.


Author(s):  
Amtul Bari Tabinda ◽  
Saleha Munir ◽  
Abdullah Yasar ◽  
Asad Ilyas

Criteria air pollutants have their significance for causing health threats and damage to theenvironment. The study was conducted to assess the seasonal and temporal variations of criteria air pollutantsand evaluating the correlations of criteria air pollutants with meteorological parameters in the city ofLahore, Pakistan for a period of one year from April 2010 to March 2011. The concentrations of criteriaair pollutants were determined at fixed monitoring stations equipped with HORIBA analyzers. The annualaverage concentrations (µg/m3) of PM2.5, O3, SO2, CO and NOx (NO+NO2) for this study period were118.94±57.46, 46.0±24.2, 39.9±8.9, 1940±1300 and 130.9±81.0 (61.8±46.2+57.3±22.19), respectively.PM2.5, SO2, CO and NOx had maximum concentrations during winter whereas O3 had maximum concentrationduring summer. Minimum concentrations of PM2.5, SO2 and NOx were found during monsoon as comparedto other seasons due to rainfall which scavenged these pollutants. The O3 showed positive correlation withtemperature and solar radiation but negative correlation with wind speed. All other criteria air pollutantsshowed negative correlation with wind speed, temperature and solar radiation. A significant (P<0.01)correlation was found between NOx and CO (r = 0.779) which showed that NOx and CO arise from commonsource that could be the vehicular emission. PM2.5 was significantly correlated (P<0.01) with NOx (r = 0.524)and CO (r = 0.519), respectively. High traffic intensity and traffic jams were responsible for increased airpollutants level especially the PM2.5, NOx and CO.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-140
Author(s):  
Hina Islam ◽  
Irfan Sharif Shakoori ◽  
Fauzia Aslam ◽  
Gohar Ashraf ◽  
Hammad Akram

AbstractAir pollution is a result of natural phenomena or human activities that can cause the release of harmful substances in the environment, leading to adverse health outcomes among living beings. Pollution is associated with adverse health impacts on multiple organ systems among humans. While the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are mainly affected, there are other health issues related to the eyes, skin, brain, blood, immunity, behavioral/mental well-being, and reproduction among exposed individuals. Air pollutants can especially have higher health impacts on people at the extremes of their ages (children and elderly) and on those suffering from underlying respiratory and heart issues. Pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide have respiratory effects among children and adults and are associated with increased respiratory diseases, asthma exacerbations, and related hospitalizations. Carbon monoxide interferes with transporting oxygen by forming carboxyhemoglobin leading to cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory problems. Particulate matter is a heterogeneous mixture of tiny particles of varying compositions found in the atmosphere and has a wide variety of severe health effects. Particulate matter emits from combustion, diesel engines, power generation, and wood-burning, and certain industrial activities. Lead is considered neurotoxic and has more severe consequences among children. Here we summarize characteristics of six criteria air pollutants and associated air quality risk assessment parameters known as the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI). The present manuscript also examines the impact of air pollution on human behavior, mental well-being, and neurological health consequences, as air pollution has been associated with cognitive decline, hyperactivity, dementia, anxiety, depression, aggression, and Alzheimer’s disease-related changes. Lastly, we also attempt to look into any relationship between air pollutants and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and examine its possible association with a higher COVID-19 incidence, complications, and mortality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
hazem al-najjar ◽  
Nadia Al-Rousan ◽  
Ismail A. Elhaty

Abstract Air pollution depends on seasons, wind speed, temperature, wind direction and air pressure. The effect of different seasons on air pollution is not fully addressed in the reported works. The current study investigated the impact of season on air pollutants including SO2, PM10, NO, NOX, and O3 using NARX method. In the applied methodology, a feature selection was used with each pollutant to find the most important season(s). Afterward, six models are designed based on the feature selection to show the impact of seasons in finding the concentration of pollutants. A case study is conducted on Esenyurt which is one of the most populated and industrialized places in Istanbul to validate the proposed framework. The performance of using all of the designed models with different pollutants showed that using season effect led to improving the performance of predictor and generating high R2 and low error functions.


2022 ◽  
Vol 961 (1) ◽  
pp. 012001
Author(s):  
Ahmed Alaa Hussein ◽  
Zahraa S. Mahdi ◽  
Nagam Obaid Kariem

Abstract The study aims to use the fixed box model to calculate the spread of pollutants (CO2, SO2, NOX, particulate) resulting from the burning of fuel used to produce electrical energy in the Nasiriyah city and to know the way they spread in the city through being affected by the wind speed and compare the results calculated from the model with the results measured by the lancom4 device. The results showed that the main pollutants for the air in Nasiriyah was emitted from burning the fuel used for the production of electric power, and the results showed that the concentration of pollutants (CO2, SO2, NOX) was much higher inside the city when compared with the upstream direction of the winds due to its increase with the movement of winds and its entry into the city. Through the application of the fixed box model and when comparing the calculated results through the model with the results measured by the lancom4 device, the error rate was (4 %, 2%, 2%, 5%) for pollutants (CO2, SO2, NOX, particulate) respectively, it was also observed that the highest emission rate of pollutants was result from using heavy fuel (fuel oil) and the lowest emission was from light oil (Dry gas). We noted the spread of pollutants and dilution in the atmosphere increases with the increase in wind speed, excluding for particles mater.


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