Reductions in mortality resulting from reduced air pollution levels due to COVID-19 mitigation measures

The Science of the Total Environment
Ji-Young SonMichelle L Bell

Abstract

To control the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, state and local governments in the United States have implemented several mitigation efforts that resulted in lower emissions of traffic-related air pollutants. This study examined the impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures on air pollution levels and the subsequent reductions in mortality for urban areas in 10 US states and the District of Columbia. We calculated changes in levels of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter no larger than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) during mitigation period versus the baseline period (pre-mitigation measure) using the difference-in-difference approach and the estimated avoided total and cause-specific mortality attributable to these changes in PM2.5 by state and district. We found that PM2.5 concentration during the mitigation period decreased for most states (except for 3 states) and the capital. Decreases of average PM2.5 concentration ranged from 0.25 μg/m3 (4.3%) in Maryland to 4.20 μg/m3 (45.1%) in California. On average, PM2.5 levels across 7 states and the capital reduced by 12.8%. We estimated that PM2.5 reduction during the mitigation period lowered air pollution-related total and cause-specific deaths. An estimated 483 (95% CI: 30...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 21, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Qiang Wang, Xiaowei Wang
Jan 13, 2021·Journal of Public Health·Junjie ShenHongpeng Sun
Jun 4, 2021·Environmental Pollution·Marwa M H El-SayedKirsten Koehler
Jul 6, 2021·Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy·Samuele MarinelloRita Gamberini
Aug 31, 2021·Atmospheric Research·Max G AdamRajasekhar Balasubramanian

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