Mobility reductions following the COVID-19 pandemic in
the United
States were higher, and sustained longer, for aviation than ground
transportation activity. We evaluate changes in ultrafine particle
(UFP, Dp < 100 nm, a marker of fuel-combustion emissions) concentrations
at a site near Logan Airport (Boston, Massachusetts) in relation to
mobility reductions. Several years of particle number concentration
(PNC) data prepandemic [1/2017–9/2018] and during the state-of-emergency
(SOE) phase of the pandemic [4/2020–6/2021] were analyzed to
assess the emissions reduction impact on PNC, controlling for season
and wind direction. Mean PNC was 48% lower during the first three
months of the SOE than prepandemic, consistent with 74% lower flight
activity and 39% (local)–51% (highway) lower traffic volume.
Traffic volume and mean PNC for all wind directions returned to prepandemic
levels by 6/2021; however, when the site was downwind from Logan Airport,
PNC remained lower than prepandemic levels (by 23%), consistent with
lower-than-normal flight activity (44% below prepandemic levels).
Our study shows the effect of pandemic-related mobility changes on
PNC in a near-airport community, and it distinguishes aviation-related
and ground transportation source contributions.
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