Pollution due to lockdown in 2021 higher than last year: Study
The lockdown imposed this year due to the second wave of Covid-19 was not as effective in curbing pollution levels in the national capital as last year, an air quality analysis conducted by the Delhi-based think tank Center for Science and Environment found. (CSE). “Lockdowns were also effective this year in lowering PM2.5 levels. But given the shorter duration and less severe lockdown this year, levels are not as low as in the summer of 2020,” CSE’s analysis said. The think tank said the imposition of a partial lockdown (from April 6 to April 19) has reduced PM2.5 levels in Delhi by 20%, while the full lockdown (from April 20) has further reduced average pollution levels by 12%. . “Meteorology could be partly responsible for this increased level, but it could also reflect weakening of pollution control measures and efforts in the city and region during the pandemic phase. Traffic intensity was also relatively higher,” the analysis added. The report said the monthly average level of PM2.5 in April and May this year, the phase in which a hard lockdown was imposed in the capital, was higher compared to April-May 2020 – a period marked by a strict lockdown. nationwide lockdown. It said the evening peak of the hourly cycle of NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) during this year’s shutdown was 29% higher compared to last year’s shutdown. However, it was still 57% lower than the regular evening peak in May 2019. “The main highlight is that in the spring, from January to March, when pollution levels begin to decrease after winter, PM2.5 recorded the highest seasonal levels this year compared to the corresponding period in previous years, including 2019, which was a normal year. ”, says Avikal Somvanshi, program manager in CSE’s urban laboratory team of the sustainable cities program. “…despite the partial restrictions, pollution levels have increased. While the reason needs to be investigated, it is important to understand that there would be a rebound effect with the full opening of the economy,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director (Research and Advocacy), CSE. The CSE analysis also found that there were 27 “very bad” days in terms of air quality in February-March, compared to 17 last year and 12 in 2019. .
