COVID-19: NASA records air pollution levels below the 2014-2019 average in several countries

Isolation measures put in place by governments around the world to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are having a decrease in the level of global pollution and an improvement in air quality. The latest data from NASA's Global Modeling and Data Assimilation Office reveal a dramatic decrease in emissions of polluting compounds in countries such as China, South Korea, Italy and India.

Evolution of air pollution levels during the pandemicEvolution of air pollution levels during the pandemic credits: Reuters; NASA

According to data provided by Reuters, the level of nitrate particulate materials (PM2.5), particles with a lower thickness of human hair, caused by the burning of fossil fuels has decreased significantly since January this year. Given their size, PM2.5 can easily penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, which can cause heart disease or cancer. In addition, Wuhan province recorded levels of nitrogen dioxide below the average observed between 2014 and 2019.

It is recalled that ESA and NASA satellite images had already shown how pollution levels had dropped in China with the quarantine period imposed by the pandemic, which led to the confinement of people and, in turn, reduced traffic to vehicles with combustion engines and less industrial activity. However, as the country recovers from the pandemic, pollution levels began to gradually increase.

Already in South Korea, PM2.5 levels, as well as nitrogen, carbon and sulfur dioxide were registered below the average verified between 2014 and 2019. Still in the Asian continent, India also shows a strong tendency to reduce pollution Atmosphere visible in the comparison between videos captured in May and November 2018 and April 2020.

Difference in air pollution level in IndiaDifference in air pollution level in India Bhushan Kumar, Sunil Kataria; Reuters

In Europe, the differences in air pollution in Italy are striking. The images from NASA's Global Modeling and Data Assimilation Office are in line with the latest Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite data that confirm a 45-50% fall in the level of nitrogen dioxide compared to the same period last year.

In Portugal, the images from the European satellite Copernicus Sentinel 5P processed by AIR Center experts in early April also demonstrated a dramatic reduction in NO2 levels. In the case of Lisbon, the reduction was more significant, reaching 80% in some places in the capital, and in Porto the reduction reached 60%.