Analysis of the correlations between the COVID-19 pandemic and air quality

Analysis of the correlations between the COVID-19 pandemic and air quality

May 24, 2021

Air pollution represents serious public health concern, contributing to the mortality rate, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Detrimental effect of air pollution on health has been well documented especially when it comes to pollutants such as particular matter (PM2.5, PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen-oxides (NOx), and sulphur-oxides (SOx). These pollutants end up in atmosphere from all of our economic activities and sectors. Period of the COVID-19 induced lockdown, which changed our daily patterns as well as entire economies, has raised the interest of the researchers that deal with air quality worldwide. In Serbia, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, supported by UNDP, performed the research in order to determine whether there are links between COVID-19 pandemic and air quality. Results of this research is presented in the two reports: first report exploring the effect of air pollution on the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, and second report investigating whether COVID-19 induced lockdowns affected the air quality.