Abstract
In general, the lockdown to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a better quality of air across the world. The concentrations of both particulate and majority of gaseous pollutants were decreased drastically due to total shutdown of outdoor activities in the initial phase. This has resulted in up to 50% reduction in the air quality index (AQI) over South Asian megacities. A significant reduction was observed over most polluted ranked cities in South Asia like Delhi (41%), Dhaka (16%), Kathmandu (32%), Colombo (33%) including Islamabad and Kabul. A major decrease was also observed in the gaseous pollutants like CO, NO2, and SO2. The strict lockdown provided an opportunity to the relevant authorities to reassess the large-scale transport and industrial sectors to avoid undue emissions of harmful pollutants. The present analysis suggests that there is a need of controlled emissions of air pollutants with reference to the lockdown values of `New Normal’, and to switch over to the cleaner fuel technology options at the earliest possible. There is a need to constitute an Inter-state agency to monitor trans-boundary and long-range transport of pollution across south Asia. Finally, a holistic approach for maintaining balance between `need and greed’ for energy and resource consumption is needed which can provide us the sustainable atmosphere and healthy air quality throughout the region.
Highlights
Air quality deterioration poses a challenge for sustainability and environmental health issues in South Asian region
A major highlight observed during the first phase of lockdown in China and Europe is the drastic decrease in air pollutants like NO2, CO, black carbon (BC), particulate matter (PM) levels, etc. (Bao and Zhang, 2020)
Satellite data retrieved by various agencies like NASA, European Space Agency and other related institutions have reported a dramatic improvement in air quality during the period of COVID-19 lockdown as compared to the data compiled on same date in previous year (Venter et al, 2020)
Summary
Air quality deterioration poses a challenge for sustainability and environmental health issues in South Asian region. The threat to air quality is both due to natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Particulates such as mineral dust, bioaerosols, sea salts etc. A study of the SARS epidemic in China has suggested that infected people were more likely to die if their locality had a poor-quality of air (Cui et al, 2003). A major highlight observed during the first phase of lockdown in China and Europe is the drastic decrease in air pollutants like NO2, CO, black carbon (BC), particulate matter (PM) levels, etc. It is worthwhile mentioning that the lockdown has lowered down the incidence of COVID-19 but it has led to a very significant reduction in environmental (air and water) pollution which could become a benchmark attainment, through policies and interventions by regulatory bodies, for many cities witnessing severe pollution episodes otherwise
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