United States Department of Transportation
i
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality and Mortality Across Contiguous United States—A Data-Driven Approach
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2022-03-01
[PDF-1.30 MB]
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Edition:Final Report January 1, 2021–December 31, 2021
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Abstract:Premature death from cardiovascular and respiratory disorders can be attributed to poor air quality. Lockdowns enacted by numerous countries during the continuing COVID-19 outbreak resulted in a significant improvement in air quality throughout the world. Different lockdown measures in the contiguous United States were analyzed to see how they affected air pollution and the health of people in the short and long term. Using data from more than 500 monitoring sites across the contiguous United States, as well as satellite data, researchers created a high-resolution map of concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in width (PM2.5). Health benefits, reported in terms of short-term and long-term averted mortality from PM2.5 exposure, were assessed using the most recent epidemiological data on COVID-19 pandemic treatments. Different economic recovery scenarios (immediate or gradual resumption of activities, a second outbreak in winter, and permanent lockdown for the whole of 2021) were used to examine the long-term variability in air quality and the accompanying premature mortality. According to these findings, lockdown actions in the contiguous United States significantly reduced PM2.5 concentrations. However, researchers found considerable variations between different states in the number of premature deaths that may be attributed to air pollution. It is possible to significantly improve air quality if strict emission control regulations are put into place.
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