Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on ambient air quality and excess risk of particulate matter in Turkey

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has reached 4 million global cases as of March 10, 2020, has become a worldwide problem. Turkey is one of the most affected (9 th in the world) country with 139 771 cases. An intermittent curfew policy that differ for three age groups, and an intercity travel ban varying within the country have been implemented. The effects of changes in social life and industrial activity in terms of environmental pollution are not yet known. The short-term effects on PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , NO, NO x , O 3 and CO concentrations measured at 51 air quality measurement stations (AQMS) in 11 cities in March – April period of 2020 were statistically compared with that of the previous year. While PM 2.5 (9/14 AQMS) and PM 10 (29/35 AQMS) concentrations were not significantly affected, NO (12/24 AQMS), NO 2 (20/29 AQMS), NO X (17/25 AQMS) concentrations were decreased, SO 2 concentrations at half of the AQMSs (11/25) did not show a significant change. There were stations at which higher pollutant concentrations were measured in the study period in 2020 compared to that of 2019. Excess risks associated with PM 2.5 and PM 10 were estimated to be variable, albeit with a small difference. In conclusion, the heterogeneous actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in mixed effects on ambient air quality.

Transmission of COVID-19 pandemic (Turkey) associated with short-term exposure of air quality and climatological parameters

“…PM 2.5 emissions mainly originate from traffic, combustion of fossil fuels and biomass for energy production, and industrial facilities, while diesel engines, resuspension of soil particles, industrial activities and residential fossil fuel heating are the main sources of PM 10 pollution. Exposure to high levels of PM 2.5 may adversely impact public health, bringing about some health problems, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, premature death and lung cancer (Goren et al 2021 ). Many of the studies performed to investigate the relationship between particulate matter and respiratory illness, including influenza-like illness, respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and cardiovascular disease, demonstrated that particulate matter concentrations have a statistically positive impact both on the occurrence and in the increase of severity of these types of illnesses (Lee et al 2014 ; Feng et al 2016 ; Carugno et al 2018 ; Yarahmadi et al 2018 ; Liu et al 2019 ).…”

Comparison of two air quality models in complex terrain near sea shore

“…In Turkey, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Zonguldak was the only city where travel restrictions were implemented besides 30 highly-populated metropolitan cities, concerning the high frequency of air-pollution-related health risks in the city. Goren et al (2021) stated that coal mining, thermal power plants, and having a higher rate of respiratory disease in Zonguldak are the reasons for including this area in travel restrictions. Similarly, Dursun et al (2021) emphasized high levels of air pollution in the province of Zonguldak.…”

Variations in the Concentration of Air Pollutants due to the COVID-19 Lockdown in Istanbul, Turkey

“…Results suggested that AQI has improved by up to 30-46.67% after lockdown. Goren et al (2021) [12] investigated the impacts of lockdown on the air quality of 11 cities, looking at concentrations of air quality parameters containing PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, NO, NOx, O3 and CO obtained from 51 air quality measurement stations (AQMS) from March -April period of 2020 compared with that of the previous year. While PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were not significantly affected, NO, NO2 and NOX concentrations were decreased, SO2 did not show a significant change.…”