Exploring the linkage between PM2.5 levels and COVID-19 spread and its implications for socio-economic circles.
Environ Res
; 193: 110421, 2021 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33160973
ABSTRACT
A pneumonia-like disease of unknown origin caused a catastrophe in Wuhan city, China. This disease spread to 215 countries affecting a wide range of people. World health organization (WHO) called it a pandemic and it was officially named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS CoV-2), also known as Corona virus disease (COVID-19). This pandemic compelled countries to enforce a socio-economic lockdown to prevent its widespread. This paper focuses on how the particulate matter pollution was reduced during the lockdown period (23 March to April 15, 2020) as compared to before lockdown. Both ground-based and satellite observations were used to identify the improvement in air quality of Pakistan with primary focus on four major cities of Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and Peshawar. Both datasets have shown a substantial reduction in PM2.5 pollution levels (ranging from 13% to 33% in case of satellite observations, while 23%-58% in ground-based observations) across Pakistan. Result shows a higher rate of COVID-19 spread in major cities of Pakistan with poor air quality conditions. Yet more research is needed in order to establish linkage between COVID-19 spread and air pollution. However, it can be partially attributed to both higher rate of population density and frequent exposure of population to enhanced levels of PM2.5 concentrations before lockdown period.
Texto completo:
1
Temas:
ECOS
/
Aspectos_gerais
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Atmosféricos
/
Poluição do Ar
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prognostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Res
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Paquistão