Reductions in mortality resulting from reduced air pollution levels due to COVID-19 mitigation measures

Abstract

To control the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, state and local governments in the United States have implemented several mitigation efforts that resulted in lower emissions of traffic-related air pollutants. This study examined the impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures on air pollution levels and the subsequent reductions in mortality for urban areas in 10 US states and the District of Columbia. We calculated changes in levels of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter no larger than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ) during mitigation period versus the baseline period (pre-mitigation measure) using the difference-in-difference approach and the estimated avoided total and cause-specific mortality attributable to these changes in PM 2.5 by state and district. We found that PM 2.5 concentration during the mitigation period decreased for most states (except for 3 states) and the capital. Decreases of average PM 2.5 concentration ranged from 0.25 μg/m 3 (4.3%) in Maryland to 4.20 μg/m 3 (45.1%) in California. On average, PM 2.5 levels across 7 states and the capital reduced by 12.8%. We estimated that PM 2.5 reduction during the mitigation period lowered air pollution-related total and cause-specific deaths. An estimated 483 (95% CI: 307, 665) PM 2.5 -related deaths was avoided in the urban areas of California. Our findings have implications for the effects of mitigation efforts and provide insight into the mortality reductions can be achieved from reduced air pollution levels.

Relationships between Local Green Space and Human Mobility Patterns during COVID-19 for Maryland and California, USA

“…On 16 March 2020, the US federal government announced the '30 Day to Slow' guideline in response to the pandemic. While implementation of mitigation measures varied by US state and district, many of those declarations were announced in March [4]. For example, Maryland enacted a "Prohibiting Large Gatherings and Events and Closing Senior Centers" order on 12 March 2020; a statewide "stay-at-home" order went into effect on 30 March [5].…”

How COVID-19 induced lockdown impacts air quality in Delhi-NCR region of India?

“…Since aerosol concentrations were sharply reduced during the lockdown period in India, it may have lowered the potential for COVID-19 to be airborne, but the relaxation in lockdown increased ambient aerosols and also the chance of spread of COVID −19 (Kumar S. 2020). PM2.5 reduction during the mitigation period lowered (12.5%) air pollution-related total and cause-specific deaths as observed in US states by Son et al, 2020. Declines in air pollutants due to thelockdownhavealsobeenreportedrecentlyin different countries.…”

“…It is estimated that COVID-19 fatalities may increase if PM2.5 levels rise in ambient air, just because people were exposed to bad air quality (Raga, 2020). PM2.5 reduction during the mitigation period lowered by 12.5% air pollution-related total and cause-specific deaths in United States (Son et al, 2020). Furthermore, a Harverd University study provides evidence that counties that have more polluted air will experience higher risks of death for Covid-19.…”

Vulnerability and burden of all-cause mortality associated with particulate air pollution increased during COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide observed study in Italy

“…Even though the severe health impacts of the COVID-19 emergence remain the top priority, it is still unknown how the pandemic may affect the association between environmental exposure and health, notably the health impacts of air pollution, particularly for ambient particulate matter (PM) air pollutant which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes. 2 3 The COVID-19 pandemic has observed a noteworthy decline in anthropogenic PM in many countries, such as China, 4 5 Morocco, 6 Malaysia, 7 India, 8 Brazil, 9 United States, 10 and Spain 11 due to the reduced social activities and vehicle exhaust emission. 12 13 To control the COVID-19 outbreak, Italian government imposed a quarantine, restricting the migrations of the population and additional lockdown restrictions mandating the temporary closure of non-essential shops and businesses first in ten municipalities of the province of Lodi in Lombardy and neighboring municipalities in the northern region at around February 21, 2020, and then in early-March the quarantine measures were expanded to the entire country.…”