Disentangling drivers of air pollutant and health risk changes during the COVID-19 lockdown in China.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 have led to distinct variations in NO₂ and O₃ concentrations in China. Here, the different drivers of anthropogenic emission changes, including the effects of the Chinese New Year (CNY), China's 2018-2020 Clean Air Plan (CAP), and the COVID-19 lockdown and their impact on NO₂ and O₃ are isolated by using a combined model-measurement approach. In addition, the contribution of prevailing meteorological conditions to the concentration changes was evaluated by applying a machine-learning method. The resulting impact on the multi-pollutant Health-based Air Quality Index (HAQI) is quantified. The results show that the CNY reduces NO₂ concentrations on average by 26.7% each year, while the COVID-lockdown meas

SUBMITTER: Shen F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9244310 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature