Estimating the Inadvertent Decrement in Mortality due to Reduction in Ambient Fine Particulate Concentrations During COVID-19 Lockdown in India

ABSTRACT: The adverse health effects of long and short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants are well established in the epidemiological literature. Amongst all pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses a significant mortality risk because of its toxicity and extensive human exposure. During COVID-19 lockdowns, numerous studies have reported a reduction in ambient PM2.5 concentrations due to decreased anthropogenic activities. Therefore, potential health benefits are plausible during this period. In this pursuit, the current study aims to estimate the potential deaths that might have been avoided due to the reductions in PM2.5 levels during COVID-19 lockdowns in India's 12 states. For the same, concentration–response functions are developed, and the changes in PM2.5 levels were calculated

SUBMITTER: Patra S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7952262 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature