Coronavirus Lockdowns Forestalled Thousands of Air Pollution-Related Fatalities, New Study Finds
A new study reveals that the lockdowns imposed in various countries to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic around Europe and in China improved air quality. This was seen in regions that suffered from high mortality rates caused by air pollution. Scientists from the University of Notre Dame recently published research in the Lancet Planetary Health journal that showed the decline in particulate matter concentrations in Europe and China. During the lockdown that was imposed in Europe between February 21 and May 17, particulate matter concentrations reduced by 17.1% while in China, the concentrations reduced…