Effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on criteria air pollutants in the city of Daegu, the epicenter of South Korea's outbreak.

ABSTRACT: The outbreak of COVID-19 in Daegu, South Korea, early in 2020 has led this metropolitan city to become one of the major hotspots in the world. This study investigates the association of meteorology and the new daily COVID-19 confirmed cases and the effects of the city lockdown on the variation in criteria air pollutants (CAPs) in Daegu. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were negatively correlated to the new daily cases and played an important role in the spread of COVID-19. Wind speed could enhance the virus transmission through the inhalation of aerosols and/or droplets and contact with fomites. The lockdown has directly decreased the concentrations of CAPs. In particular, reductions of 3.75% (PM₁₀), 30.9% (PM_2.5), 36.7% (NO₂), 43.7% (CO), and 21.3

SUBMITTER: Vuong QT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7592145 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature