Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Drastic decrease in pollution, better quality of life
We still remember the news where NASA recorded a huge drop in pollution in China after the coronavirus. Today, we look at Europe, which continues with the same trend and which will undoubtedly be a milestone in history.
The anti-coronavirus measures (COVID-19) have allowed reduce the average level of nitrogen dioxide pollution by approximately 40% (NO2) and a 10% the average level of particulate matter contamination in the last 30 days, which has prevented 11,000 deaths from air pollution (95% confidence interval: 7,000 - 21,000).
This effect occurs when power generation from coal has decreased by 37% and oil consumption by an estimated third. Burning coal and oil are the main sources of pollution by NO2 and the main sources of particulate pollution throughout Europe.
The findings are based on a new report issued by the CREA center (Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air) on air quality and health impacts from reducing fossil fuel consumption during the coronavirus epidemic. (See article on climate change map)
Others Health impacts that have been avoided - according to the document - are 1.3 million fewer days of absence from work, 6,000 fewer new cases of asthma in children, 1,900 avoided visits to the emergency room due to asthma attacks and 600 births less premature. Most of these health impacts are linked to chronic exposure to air pollution and will become a reality in the coming months.
The diagram below shows the differences between measured air pollutant concentrations and predicted levels based on weather conditions and air quality data from previous years, showing the estimated impact of the closure measures.
The analysis of health effects also highlights, regardless of the improvement in air quality, that air pollution is contributing to increase the burden of the health system in the face of the epidemicWith air pollution there are more people suffering from pre-existing conditions that make them more vulnerable to disease, and more people requiring treatment for everything from asthma to strokes to diabetes, while the system is overloaded. (See, for interest, how air conditioning affects health)
At the same time, measures to combat the COVID-19 epidemic have resulted in unprecedented drastic reductions in coal and oil burning. Is Reduced pollution has helped relieve pressure on the healthcare system during this crisis.
In addition, the analysis highlights the enormous public health and quality of life benefits that could be achieved by rapidly reducing fossil fuels in a consistent and sustainable way.
The Countries with the greatest reductions in NO2 pollution levels are Portugal, Spain, Norway, Croatia, France, Italy and Finland. The largest reductions in particulate pollution benefiting the population occurred in Portugal, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Spain.
Coal power plants in the UK have not generated power for more than two weeks, and Portugal has been without coal for more than a month; Austria and Sweden recently closed their last coal-fired power plants.
The air pollution is the biggest threat to environmental health in Europe, since it is estimated that the Average life expectancy in the European Union has dropped by eight months due to pollution exposure. In 2016, 400,000 deaths were attributed in the European region to PM2.5, and 71,000 deaths from NO2 (EEA 2022). It is estimated that 60% of the population in European countries are exposed to levels of PM10 or PM2.5 that exceed those indicated by the WHO.
We are all anxious for a normal life and with 100% active businesses, but from this epidemic we must learn many things, and, among them, that breathing air that is not polluted brings us palpable benefits.
If you liked this article, share it!
