cbc COVID-19 economic slowdown has cut air pollution in Canadian cities Even temporary drop in air pollution can have positive impact on human health: expert torstar Cities around the world have seen air pollution plummet during COVID-19 With fewer cars on the road and some factories closed, air pollution has been reduced around the world, from Los Angeles to New Delhi. Jellyfish have been spotted in Venice’s suddenly clear canals. In Canada’s five largest cities, air pollution dropped by as much as 15 per cent in the second half of March, according to an analysis of provincial data by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Traffic volumes in Toronto, meanwhile, have been cut in half.

ctv Air pollution falls by unprecedented levels in major global cities during lockdowns Lockdowns restricting travel and industry imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus have resulted in unprecedented reductions in deadly air pollution around the world, new analysis shows. 2020 Venter COVID-19 lockdowns cause global air pollution declines The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented reductions in economic activity. We find that, after accounting for meteorological variations, lockdown events have reduced the population-weighted concentration of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels by about 60% and 31% in 34 countries, with mixed effects on ozone. Reductions in transportation sector emissions are largely responsible for the NO2 anomalies.