Impact of COVID-19 Induced Lockdown on Air Pollution and Remediation Measures

Abstract

Air pollution is reported to have reduced to a level that has not been recorded since the end of World War (II), and this is largely due to the global lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across the globe, hence the need for a review, interpretation and harmonisation of the available literature in this regard. Attempt is made from the available literature in elaborating the generality of the concepts of air pollution from the perspective of the global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The synergy between the lockdown and decreased air pollution in relation to climate change, is explored. Various health and environmental consequences of air pollution and climate change are outlined. Major ailments and mortalities associated to air pollution are bound to decrease due to reduction in air pollution, and this is affirmed. We highlight some achievable control measures and techniques for tackling air pollutants in line with the principles of green chemistry for re-consideration under reviewed policies and guidelines by governments, stakeholders and policy-makers. Additionally, we propose some new remediation measures and policies that could be harnessed and deliberated upon by stakeholders and policy-makers to checkmate greenhouse gases emissions, improve air quality and minimise air pollution and climate change. We recommend how these measures could be adopted and implemented for improved health care. Data need to be collated post COVID-19 to ascertain the level of mortalities due to the consequence of air pollution and compare same with the mortality rate for COVID-19.