Effects of COVID-19 Restrictions on Air Pollution

Reductions in the movement of people and industrial production during COVID restrictions resulted in lower levels of particulate matter (PM) of all sizes, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO), pollutants that are associated with increased mortality. However, the window of observation of most studies ended in the late spring of 2020. Therefore, it is unclear whether lowering pollutant levels were sufficiently long to affect morbidity and mortality. In addition, studies indicated a return to pre-restriction levels shortly after restrictions were lifted.The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the global levels of environmental pollutants is likely to be beneficial. Lower levels of pollution observed during restrictions provide estimates for attainable pollutants that can benefit health and wellbeing.<b>Appendices</b>Full Report - Effects of COVID-19 Restrictions on Air Pollution<b>Figures</b>Figure 1.<b> </b>Roy 2021.<b> </b>Changes in mean tropospheric NO₂density during the restriction period Figure 2. Faridi 2021.<b> </b>Changes in ambient air quality during the restriction period<b>Tables</b>Table 1.<b> </b>Systematic review characteristicsTable 2.<b> </b>Systematic reviews of the impact of pollutants on morbidity and mortality<br>

新冠疫情管控期间的人员流动缩减与工业生产活动下调，使得各类粒径颗粒物（particulate matter, PM）、二氧化氮（nitrogen dioxide, NO₂）、二氧化硫（sulphur dioxide, SO₂）以及一氧化碳（carbon monoxide, CO）的浓度水平均有所降低，上述污染物均与死亡率升高存在显著关联。然而，多数现有研究的观测窗口均止于2020年晚春，因此尚无法确定污染物浓度的降低是否持续了足够长的时长，足以对人群发病率与死亡率产生影响。此外，已有研究表明，在管控措施解除后不久，污染物浓度便迅速回升至管控前的基准水平。新冠疫情管控对全球环境污染物水平的影响总体而言大概率是有益的。管控期间观测到的更低污染浓度，可为有益于人类健康与福祉的可实现污染物控制目标提供量化估算依据。<b>附录</b>完整报告：《新冠疫情管控对空气污染的影响》<b>图表</b>图1. Roy 2021：管控期间对流层二氧化氮平均密度变化
图2. Faridi 2021：管控期间环境空气质量变化
<b>表格</b>
表1. 系统综述特征
表2. 污染物对发病率与死亡率影响的系统综述