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Bayram H, Konyalilar N, Elci MA, Rajabi H, Aksoy GT, Mortazavi D, Kayalar Ö, Dikensoy Ö, Taborda-Barata L, Viegi G. Issue 4 - Impact of air pollution on COVID-19 mortality and morbidity: An epidemiological and mechanistic review. Pulmonology 2024:S2531-0437(24)00051-5. [PMID: 38755091 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Air pollution is a major global environment and health concern. Recent studies have suggested an association between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality and morbidity. In this context, a close association between increased levels of air pollutants such as particulate matter ≤2.5 to 10 µM, ozone and nitrogen dioxide and SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospital admissions and mortality due to COVID 19 has been reported. Air pollutants can make individuals more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection by inducing the expression of proteins such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)2 and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) that are required for viral entry into the host cell, while causing impairment in the host defence system by damaging the epithelial barrier, muco-ciliary clearance, inhibiting the antiviral response and causing immune dysregulation. The aim of this review is to report the epidemiological evidence on impact of air pollutants on COVID 19 in an up-to-date manner, as well as to provide insights on in vivo and in vitro mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Bayram
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine, Koç University, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Nur Konyalilar
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Hadi Rajabi
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - G Tuşe Aksoy
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Deniz Mortazavi
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özgecan Kayalar
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Öner Dikensoy
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine, Koç University, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Luis Taborda-Barata
- UBIAir - Clinical and Experimental Lung Centre UBIMedical, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal; CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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Jia H, Zheng M, Wang P, Li T, Zheng X. Big data-driven spatio-temporal heterogeneity analysis of Beijing's catering service industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2024; 14:721. [PMID: 38184685 PMCID: PMC10771444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51251-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The Catering Service Industry (CSI) experienced profound impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the long-term and multi-timepoint analysis using big data remained limited, influencing governmental decision-making. We applied Kernel Density Estimation, Shannon Diversity Index, and the Geographic detector to explore the spatial heterogeneity and determinants of the CSI in Beijing during the pandemic, with monthly granularity. The temporal-spatial dynamics of the CSI presented a "W"-shaped trend from 2018 to 2023, with pivotal shifts aligning with key pandemic stages. Spatial characteristics exhibited heterogeneity, with greater stability in the city center and more pronounced shifts in peripheral urban zones. Districts facing intricate outbreaks showed lower catering income, and Chinese eateries exhibited heightened resilience compared to others. The CSI displayed strong interconnections with living service sectors. Development in each district was influenced by economic level, population distribution, service facilities convenience, and the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dominant factors included total retail sales of consumer goods, permanent population, average Baidu Heat Index, density of transportation and catering service facilities, infection cases and the consecutive days with confirmed cases existing. Consequently, we suggested seizing post-pandemic recovery as an avenue to unlock the CSI's substantial potential, ushering a fresh phase of growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichao Jia
- School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Minrui Zheng
- School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China.
- Digital Government and National Governance Lab, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China.
| | - Peipei Wang
- School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Tianle Li
- School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xinqi Zheng
- School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, China
- Technology Innovation Center for Territory Spatial Big-Data, MNR of China, Beijing, 100036, China
- Beijing Fangshan Observation and Research Station of Comprehensive Exploration Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources of People's Republic of China, Beijing, 102400, China
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Arter CA, Buonocore JJ, Isakov V, Pandey G, Arunachalam S. Air pollution benefits from reduced on-road activity due to COVID-19 in the United States. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae017. [PMID: 38292536 PMCID: PMC10825624 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
On-road transportation is one of the largest contributors to air pollution in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic provided the unintended experiment of reduced on-road emissions' impacts on air pollution due to lockdowns across the United States. Studies have quantified on-road transportation's impact on fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-attributable and ozone (O3)-attributable adverse health outcomes in the United States, and other studies have quantified air pollution-attributable health outcome reductions due to COVID-19-related lockdowns. We aim to quantify the PM2.5-attributable, O3-attributable, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)-attributable adverse health outcomes from traffic emissions as well as the air pollution benefits due to reduced on-road activity during the pandemic in 2020. We estimate 79,400 (95% CI 46,100-121,000) premature mortalities each year due to on-road-attributable PM2.5, O3, and NO2. We further break down the impacts by pollutant and vehicle types (passenger [PAS] vs. freight [FRT] vehicles). We estimate PAS vehicles to be responsible for 63% of total impacts and FRT vehicles 37%. Nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from these vehicles are responsible for 78% of total impacts as it is a precursor for PM2.5 and O3. Utilizing annual vehicle miles traveled reductions in 2020, we estimate that 9,300 (5,500-14,000) deaths from air pollution were avoided in 2020 due to the state-specific reductions in on-road activity across the continental United States. By quantifying the air pollution public health benefits from lockdown-related reductions in on-road emissions, the results from this study stress the need for continued emission mitigation policies, like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recently proposed NOX standards for heavy-duty vehicles, to mitigate on-road transportation's public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin A Arter
- Institute for the Environment, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan J Buonocore
- Department of Environment Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Vlad Isakov
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Gavendra Pandey
- Institute for the Environment, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Saravanan Arunachalam
- Institute for the Environment, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Saengsawang P, Phosri A. Effects of the lockdown measure amid COVID-19 pandemic on outpatient department visits associated with air pollution reduction in Thailand. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:7861-7876. [PMID: 37490145 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01694-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on air quality and its consequences health and economic benefits in Thailand. The conditional Poisson regression model was applied to examine the association between air pollution and outpatient department (OPD) visits in each province and pooled the province-specific estimates using the random-effects meta-analysis to derive the national estimates. We then applied a random forest model with meteorological normalization approach to predict the concentration of air pollutants by means of business as usual during the lockdown period (April 3-May 3) in 2020 and further calculated the changes in the number of OPD visits and their consequent expenditure attributable to air pollution reduction using the obtained risk function performed earlier. The number of cardiovascular OPD visits attributed to PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 decreased by 4,414 (95% CI 982, 8,401), 4,040 (95% CI 326, 7,770), and 13,917 (95% CI 1,675, 27,278) cases, respectively, leading to reduced medical expenditure by 14,7180.21, 13,4708.31, and 46,4025.04 USD, respectively. The number of respiratory OPD visits attributed to PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and O3 reduction decreased by 2,298 (95% CI 1,223, 3,375), 2,056 (95% CI 740, 3,252), 3,326 (95% CI 542, 6,295), and 1,160 (95% CI 5,26, 1,804) cases, respectively, where the consequent medical expenditure was reduced by 76,618.48, 68,566.36, 11,0908.31, and 38,685.50 USD, respectively. Finding from this study showed that air quality during the lockdown period in Thailand was improved, contributing to the reduction of cardiovascular and respiratory OPD visits, and consequent medical service costs attributable to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phubet Saengsawang
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Arthit Phosri
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 4th Floor, 2nd Building, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Mihăilă D, Lazurca LG, Bistricean IP, Horodnic VD, Mihăilă EV, Emandi EM, Prisacariu A, Nistor A, Nistor B, Roșu C. Air quality changes in NE Romania during the first Covid 19 pandemic wave. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18918. [PMID: 37636459 PMCID: PMC10447937 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study analyzes for the first time uniformly and causally the level of pollution and air quality for the NE-Romania Region, one of the poorest region in the European Union. Knowing the level of pollution and air quality in this region, which can be taken as a benchmark due to its positional and economic-geographical attributes, responds to current scientific and practical needs. The study uses an hourly database (for five pollutants and five climate elements), from 2009 to 2020, from 19 air quality monitoring stations in northeastern Romania. Pollutant levels were statistically and graphically/cartographically modeled for the entire 2009-2020 interval on the distributive-spatial and regime, temporal component. Inter-station differences and similarities were analyzed causally. Taking advantage of the emergency measures between March 16 and May 14, 2020, we observed the impact of the event on the regional air quality in northeastern Romania. During the emergency period, the metropolitan area of Suceava (with over 100,000 inhabitants) was quarantined, which allowed us to analyze the impact of the quarantine period on the local air quality. We found that, in this region, air quality falls into class I (for NO2, SO2 and CO), II for O3 and III for PM10. During the lockdown periods NO2 and SO2 decreased for the entire region by 8.6 and 14.3%, respectively, and in Suceava by 13.9 and 40.1%, respectively. The causes of the reduction were anthropogenic in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dumitru Mihăilă
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | - Liliana Gina Lazurca
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | - Ionel-Petruț Bistricean
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | - Vasilică-Dănuț Horodnic
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | | | - Elena-Maria Emandi
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | - Alin Prisacariu
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | - Alina Nistor
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
| | | | - Constantin Roșu
- Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
- Applied Geography Research Center - GEA, Department of Geography, Stefan Cel Mare University, Suceava, Romania
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Ali A, Farhan SB, Zhang Y, Nasir J, Farhan H, Zamir UB, Gao H. Changes in temporal pattern and spatial distribution of environmental pollutants in 8 Asian countries owing to COVID-19 pandemic. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136075. [PMID: 36007741 PMCID: PMC9395142 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the changes in air pollutant's concentration, spatio-temporal distribution and sensitivity of changes in air pollutant's concentration during pre and post COVID-19 outbreak. We employed Google Earth Engine Platform to access remote sensing datasets of air pollutants across Asian continent. Air pollution and cumulative confirmed-COVID cases data of Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia) have been collected and analyzed for 2019 and 2020. The results indicate that aerosol index (AI) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is significantly reduced during COVID outbreak i.e. in year 2020. In addition, we found significantly positive (P < 0.05, 95% confidence interval, two-tailed) correlation between changes in AI and NO2 concentration for net active-COVID case increment in almost each country. For other atmospheric gases i.e. carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde (HCHO), ozone (O3), and Sulfur dioxide (SO2), insignificant and/or significant negative correlation is also observed. These results suggest that the atmospheric concentration of AI and NO2 are good indicators of human activities. Furthermore, the changes in O3 shows significantly negative correlation for net active-COVID case increment. In conclusion, we observed significant positive environmental impact of COVID-19 restrictions in Asia. This study would help and assist environmentalist and policy makers in restraining air pollution by implementing efficient restrictions on human activities with minimal economic loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suhaib Bin Farhan
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yinsheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jawad Nasir
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Haris Farhan
- National Centre for Remote Sensing & Geo Informatics, Institute of Space Technology, Pakistan.
| | | | - Haifeng Gao
- Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China.
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7
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Tan E. The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns in Istanbul. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192114235. [PMID: 36361120 PMCID: PMC9654864 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) have set sustainability development goals to reduce diseases, deaths, and the environmental impact of cities due to air pollution. In Istanbul, although average pollutant concentrations have been on a downward trend in recent years, extreme values and their annual exceedance numbers are high based on the air quality standards of WHO and the EU. Due to COVID-19 lockdowns, statistically significant reductions in emissions were observed for short periods. However, how long the effect of the lockdowns will last is unknown. For this reason, this study aims to investigate the impact of long-term lockdowns on Istanbul's air quality. The restriction period is approximated to the same periods of the previous years to eliminate seasonal effects. A series of paired t-tests (p-value < 0.05) were applied to hourly data from 12 March 2016, until 1 July 2021, when quarantines were completed at 36 air quality monitoring stations in Istanbul. The findings reveal that the average air quality of Istanbul was approximately 17% improved during the long-term lockdowns. Therefore, the restriction-related changes in emission distributions continued in the long-term period of 476 days. However, it is unknown how long this effect will continue, which will be the subject of future studies. Moreover, it was observed that the emission probability density functions changed considerably during the lockdowns compared to the years before. Accordingly, notable decreases were detected in air quality limit exceedances in terms of both excessive pollutant concentrations and frequency of occurrence, respectively, for PM10 (-13% and -13%), PM2.5 (-16% and -30%), and NO2 (-3% and -8%), but not for O3 (+200% and +540%) and SO2 (-10% and +2.5%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elçin Tan
- Department of Meteorological Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey
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8
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Wu L, Xie J, Kang K. Changing weekend effects of air pollutants in Beijing under 2020 COVID-19 lockdown controls. NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY 2022; 2:23. [PMID: 37521771 PMCID: PMC9510312 DOI: 10.1038/s42949-022-00070-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In 2020, lockdown control measures were implemented to prevent a novel coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic in many places of the world, which largely reduced human activities. Here, we detect changes in weekly cycles of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO and O3 concentrations in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019 using the observed data at 32 stations in Beijing. Distinct weekly cycles of annual average PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO concentrations existed in 2018, while the weekend effects changed in 2020. In addition, the weekly cycle magnitudes of PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and O3 concentrations in 2020 decreased by 29.60-69.26% compared to 2018, and 4.49-47.21% compared to 2019. We propose that the changing weekend effects and diminishing weekly cycle magnitudes may be tied to the COVID-19 lockdown controls, which changed human working and lifestyle cycles and reduced anthropogenic emissions of air pollutants on weekends more than weekdays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (LASG), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Junfei Xie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ecological Function Assessment and Regulation Technology of Green Space, Beijing Institute of Landscape Architecture, Beijing, 100102 China
| | - Keyu Kang
- College of Landscape Architecture and Tourism, Hebei Agricultural University, Hebei, 071000 China
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Pey J, Cerro JC. Reasons for the observed tropospheric ozone weakening over south-western Europe during COVID-19: Strict lockdown versus the new normal. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155162. [PMID: 35421484 PMCID: PMC8996448 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In this work we investigate the variation in tropospheric ozone concentrations in south-western Europe in March and April 2020 in the context of COVID-19 disease, and to what extent the former situation was recovered one year after the pandemic outbreak. To carry this study, data from 15 regional background sites in Spain, from 2010 onwards, are used. Historic (2010-2019) and most recent tropospheric ozone concentrations are compared. March and April 2020 ozone concentrations declined over 15% in most cases, rising to 23-28% at sites facing the Mediterranean. Most of the decay was related to the reduction of hemispheric background concentrations, but those sites downwind continental emissions from the Iberian Peninsula and neighbouring countries experienced an additional lessening. By exploring O3 concentrations one year after, March and April 2021, the general decline with respect to 2010-2019 persist but its magnitude was substantially lessened with respect to the strict lockdown period. The pandemic situation unveiled that air pollution is not an endemic matter but it should be tackle with adequate actions. Ozone abatement plans for Mediterranean countries should need a pan-regional covenant in order to drop precursor emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Pey
- Aragonese Foundation for Research and Development (ARAID), Av. de Ranillas 1-D, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología - CSIC, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - José Carlos Cerro
- Laboratory of the Atmosphere, Govern Illes Balears, 07009 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Functional Data Analysis for the Detection of Outliers and Study of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Quality: A Case Study in Gijón, Spain. MATHEMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/math10142374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution, especially at the ground level, poses a high risk for human health as it can have serious negative effects on the population of certain areas. The high variability of this type of data, which are affected by weather conditions and human activities, makes it difficult for conventional methods to precisely detect anomalous values or outliers. In this paper, classical analysis, statistical process control, and functional data analysis are compared for this purpose. The results obtained motivate the development of a new outlier detector based on the concept of functional directional outlyingness. The validation of this algorithm is perfomed on real air quality data from the city of Gijón, Spain, aiming to detect the proven reduction in NO2 levels during the COVID-19 lockdown in that city. Three more variables (SO2, PM10, and O3) are studied with this technique. The results demonstrate that functional data analysis outperforms the two other methods, and the proposed outlier detector is well suited for the accurate detection of outliers in data with high variability.
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Habeebullah TM, Munir S, Zeb J, Morsy EA. Modelling the Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollution in Makkah Saudi Arabia with a Supervised Machine Learning Approach. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10050225. [PMID: 35622639 PMCID: PMC9144150 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10050225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, lockdowns were implemented in almost every single country in the world including Saudi Arabia. In this paper, the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on O3, NO2, and PM10 in Makkah was analysed using air quality and meteorology data from five sites. Two approaches were employed: (a) comparing raw measured concentrations for the lockdown period in 2019 and 2020; and (b) comparing weather-corrected concentrations estimated by the machine learning approach with observed concentrations during the lockdown period. According to the first approach, the average levels of PM10 and NO2 decreased by 12% and 58.66%, respectively, whereas the levels of O3 increased by 68.67%. According to the second approach, O3 levels increased by 21.96%, while the levels of NO2 and PM10 decreased by 13.40% and 9.66%, respectively. The machine learning approach after removing the effect of changes in weather conditions demonstrated relatively less reductions in the levels of NO2 and PM10 and a smaller increase in the levels of O3. This showed the importance of adjusting air pollutant levels for meteorological conditions. O3 levels increased due to its inverse correlation with NO2, which decreased during the lockdown period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turki M. Habeebullah
- Department of Environmental and Health Research, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia; (T.M.H.); (J.Z.); (E.A.M.)
| | - Said Munir
- Institute for Transport Studies, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-7986001328
| | - Jahan Zeb
- Department of Environmental and Health Research, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia; (T.M.H.); (J.Z.); (E.A.M.)
| | - Essam A. Morsy
- Department of Environmental and Health Research, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia; (T.M.H.); (J.Z.); (E.A.M.)
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12
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La Verde G, Artiola V, La Commara M, D’Avino V, Angrisani L, Sabatino G, Pugliese M. COVID-19 and the Additional Radiological Risk during the Lockdown Period in the Province of Naples City (South Italy). Life (Basel) 2022; 12:246. [PMID: 35207532 PMCID: PMC8874998 DOI: 10.3390/life12020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The lockdown restrictions, as a first solution to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected everyone's life and habits, including the time spent at home. The latter factor has drawn attention to indoor air quality and the impact on human health, particularly for chemical pollutants. This study investigated how the increasing time indoor influenced exposure to natural radioactive substances, such as radon gas. To calculate the radiological risk, we considered the most consolidated indices used for radiation protection: annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, and the lung cancer case. Furthermore, two different exposure times were considered: pre-lockdown and post-lockdown. The lockdown increased the indoor exposure time by 4% and, consequently, the radiological risk factors by 9%. Furthermore, the reference value of 300 Bq/m3, considered acceptable for human radiation protection, may need to be lowered further in the case of conditions similar to those of the lockdown period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe La Verde
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Artiola
- Centre for Advanced Metrology and Technological Services (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Marco La Commara
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittoria D’Avino
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Angrisani
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, 80125 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Sabatino
- Centre for Advanced Metrology and Technological Services (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariagabriella Pugliese
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy
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