Agency Report

Key air pollutants temporarily plunged by unprecedented levels during coronavirus lockdowns last year, with fine particle pollution falling by more than a third across parts of Asia, a United Nations agency said on Friday.

According to a report by Reuters, The World Meteorological Organisation said this in its inaugural Air Quality and Climate Bulletin.

It said particulate matter fell by up to 40 per cent across Africa, South America and Southern Asia and by smaller amounts in parts of Europe and North America.

COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions led to a ‘dramatic short-lived fall in emissions’ of key air pollutants, especially in urban areas.

Tarasova said, “During episodes when there were lockdown measures, the air quality in many parts of the world has substantially improved and the improvement was largely on the side of particles.”