Heterogeneous impacts of mobility restrictions on air quality in the State of Sao Paulo during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author(s)

Rodrigues Cirqueira, Samirys Sara ; Rodrigues, Patricia Ferrini ; Branco, Pedro ; Vormittag, Evangelina ; Nunes, Rafael ; Boas Anastacio, Andressa Vilas ; Veras, Mariana ; Sousa, Sofia ; Nascimento Saldiva, Paulo Hilario

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Pollution; v. 300, p. 11-pg., 2022-05-01.

Abstract

Air quality in the State of Sao Paulo was evaluated during the first general State plan of mobility restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (24th March to May 31, 2020). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O-3), particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentrations were assessed in cities of the Sao Paulo State with a monitoring station and compared to historical data. Linear regression models were built to investigate the relationship between the isolation of the population - determined using mobile phone monitoring data - and the concentration of each pollutant during the studied period. Although the reduction of pollutants such as NO2, SO2 and PM2.5 is very clear, the economic and climatic characteristics of each region were decisive in the general behaviour of O-3 and PM10. It was not possible to establish a correlation between the pollutants and the isolation index, partly due to the lack of data, partly due to the compliance of the population to those measurements, which was variable over time. Another important limitation factor was the absence of data related to the pollutants of interest in many of the stations. However, the isolation measures carried out in the State opened the opportunity to individually assess the air quality measurements in each of the stations, enabling an understanding that will allow in the future the design of air quality policies together with local sanitary policies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06670-9 - Co-benefits of the reduction of atmospheric pollution from the transport of passengers in São Paulo: an integrated economic evaluation of health impacts using different vehicle emission scenarios
• Grantee: Patricia Ferrini Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/09011-9 - Low-cost sensors as a tool to reduce air pollution on nursery and primary schools - impact on childhood asthma
• Grantee: Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/04564-2 - SENSINAIR low-cost sensors as a tool to reduce air pollution on nursery and primary schools: impact on childhood Asthma
• Grantee: Samirys Sara Rodrigues Cirqueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral