Pandemic lockdowns improved air quality in 84% of countries worldwide, report finds

 

 Coronavirus lockdowns led to air quality improvements in most countries, but the level of pollutants will likely rise as governments lift restrictions and economies swing back into gear, according to a new report. IQAir's 2020 World Air Quality Report said human-related emissions from industry and transport fell during lockdowns, and 65% of global cities analyzed experienced better air quality in 2020 compared to 2019. Some 84% of nations polled reported air quality improvements overall.
"The connection between Covid-19 and air pollution has shone new light on the latter, especially as many locations have observed visibly cleaner air -- revealing that air quality improvements are possible with urgent, collective action," the report said.

Researchers from IQAir -- a global air quality information and tech company -- analyzed pollution data from 106 countries, specifically measuring PM 2.5, a microscopic pollutant that can cause serious health risks.
Singapore, Beijing, and Bangkok -- all of which imposed circuit-breaker lockdowns and widespread business closures -- saw the greatest reductions in PM 2.5. But this effect won't last: air pollution levels will likely rise as Covid-19 containment measures end and businesses restart, the report said.
Overall, South Asian and East Asian locations continue to top the list of most polluted places in the world, the report found. Bangladesh, China, India, and Pakistan share 49 of the 50 most polluted cities globally.
Hotan, an oasis town in China's western Xinjiang region, was ranked the world's most polluted city in 2020. Its annual levels of PM 2.5 averaged 110.2 micrograms per cubic meter -- 11 times higher than the World Health Organization target for annual exposure. At Hotan's peak, those levels spiked at 264.4 in March -- deep in "hazardous" territory.
Xinjiang has seen rapid increases in coal and fossil fuel emissions, the report said. Human-caused land degradation and climate change have also increased the severity of droughts, which create more frequent sandstorms and dust storms that contribute to extreme pollution.
China also remains the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, a major contributer to PM 2.5 pollution, the report said. The country is making major strides in renewable energies -- but these sources make up just 23% of China's energy consumption, while coal accounts for 58%.