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COVID-19 triggered the third social, economic and financial shock of the 21st century. The global outbreak of coronavirus disease affected every part of our life. The measures taken to control the virus, lockdowns, and low activity have significant effects on the environment as roads got deprived of vehicles after worldwide lockdowns. The typical peaks of pollution in the mornings and evenings peak traffic hours were nearly flat. Are you wondering what Peak Hour Pollution is? Those hours in the morning and evening when the traffic is maximum throughout the day. And, during these hours, the contamination of the air due to vehicles is peak hour pollution.
A trend of The Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollution was seen in India. The lockdown imposed brought down particulate matter of size less than 2.5 micrometres. The analysis by the CSE assessed the situation. The Centre says pollution levels in various cities have reduced by 60 % in various cities. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, around 92 cities have pollution levels of “Good” from “Satisfactory”. The data in real-time is sourced for comparison of particulates during Janta Curfew and lockdown in March 2020.
Looking At The Numbers-
The pollution trends per hour are affected by this. These changes due to covid introduce the question of what is Peak Hour Pollution. Normally, the pollution during peak hours increases as if gas is filling a balloon. According to studies performed by TERI-ARAI and SAFAR, the contribution of vehicles is about 40% in Delhi. But post lockdown, the PM2.5 concentration in Delhi dropped by fifty-seven %. Similarly, in Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad, it was down by 69%, 62 %, 62% and 64%, respectively. The NO2 level dropped dramatically by 64 % in Delhi. In Gurugram, it came down by 66 % and by 79% in Ghaziabad.
Other cities in India also saw a sharp drop in pollution during peak hours. This evidence is also contributing to the question of what is Peak Hour Pollution. For instance, in Kolkata, PM2.5 was reduced by forty-six % and seventy-four % NO2 in lockdown. In Mumbai the reduction of fifty-two % for PM2.5 and eighty-five % for NO2. It is forty-two % and seventy-six % respectively for PM2.5 and NO2 in Bengaluru. In 22 cities in different regions, the reduction in PM2.5 is 43%, and NO2 is eighteen %.
Global Trends you should know about
Now let us look at The Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollution at the global level. Several studies done around the world showed the following results. When compared with the data in 2019 for the 330 cities in China and New York. The air quality improved by 11% and 50 per cent, respectively. In another study, the pollution was reduced by approximately 20-30 per cent in European countries like France, Spain, and Italy.
But the impact of this declining trend is dramatic only during peak hours. These surveys around the world provide an overall perspective about what Peak Hour Pollution through numbers.
The Real Concern-
As per European Public Health Alliance, patients who are suffering from long-term heart and lung conditions due to polluted air are more vulnerable. In India, too, the CDCA has warned about the same. The studies cited by both communities showed that COVID-SARS caused more deaths in the region with high pollution in China. This showed the need for the importance of air quality to be taken into consideration.
This public health emergency, due to its impact on air pollution, not only baffled our minds with the question, “what is Peak Hour Pollution?” but also showed us the mirror of the condition of the air around us. Pandemic induced air quality change taming pollution during peak hours. At the same time, it increases the vulnerability of our already compromised organs due to air pollution. However, all of us were already aware of the importance of air quality. But the contradictory effects of COVID triggered the need for action.
Conclusion
This experience with the pandemic and its effects not only introduced the question of what Peak Hour Pollution is in a new way. It has also shown us that we need a sustainable plan to have clean and fresh air for our future. Also, it proved why strong actions are needed to curb traffic and mandate the zero-emissions rule. And how health risk perception makes difficult measures acceptable. Now is the time to wake up and face reality!
