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Abstract
Background: The impacts of lockdown on air pollution have been examined in various parts of the world. The concentration of main air pollutants has been decreased owing to a decline in anthropogenic activities like fossil fuel burning, etc. The main aim of this research was to assess the impacts of lockdown on air pollution of the main urban areas of Pakistan. Methods: The present study was conducted to assess the air quality index (AQI) of the main urban areas of Pakistan based on the pre- and post-lockdown effects and mortality rate due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Hotspot analysis was conducted to assess the most vulnerable spots at the country level. Results: The AQI greatly improved in all the main cities of Pakistan which ranges from 51 to 87. The pre- and post-lockdown AQI were categorized from unhealthy for sensitive groups to hazardous and moderate, respectively. There are noticeable hotspots in the vicinity of Lahore and Karachi. The level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) dropped 45%, 49%, 20%, 35%, and 56% in Peshawar, Lahore, Multan, Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, respectively. Conclusion: Nature healed due to lockdown, which is the only good face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary lockdown greatly improved air quality which may stimulate the policymakers, researchers, and governments for the smart use of resources to minimize emissions to heal the nature. The present study also suggests the application of hotspot analysis in different contexts for the evidence-based care services decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a health emergency at global level owing to the exponential spread of infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Air quality data for the main cities of Pakistan were obtained for October, November, December, January, February, and March from the webpage: aqcin.org (AQI data were accessed on April 15, 2020)
Current situation of COVID-19 in Pakistan More than 70 000 tests were conducted at the country level where approximately 6000 cases were reported
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a health emergency at global level owing to the exponential spread of infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In many countries of the world, complete lockdown at the country level increases air quality, which is the only good face of COVID-19. The impacts of lockdown on air pollution have been examined in various parts of the world. The main aim of this research was to assess the impacts of lockdown on air pollution of the main urban areas of Pakistan. Methods: The present study was conducted to assess the air quality index (AQI) of the main urban areas of Pakistan based on the pre- and post-lockdown effects and mortality rate due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
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