Ambient air pollution level not only causes respiratory diseases but also cardiovascular diseases, besides, increased visits to the emergency department for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and premature deaths in infants. The occurrence of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is both, a boon and bane. Despite the deplorable situation aroused by the pandemic, strict lockdown measures implemented to curb the drastic spread of the disease, also culminated into astonishing outcomes that were not prioritized. This article illustrates the effects of the ongoing pandemic on air pollution and provides recommendations aimed at limiting it.
Keywords: ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; AQI, air quality index; Air pollution; Air quality index (AQI); CO2, carbon dioxide; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COVID-19, coronavirus-19; Cardiovascular diseases; N95, non-oil 95; NCAP, national clean air programme; NH3, ammonia; NO2, nitrogen dioxide; O3, ozone; Occupational diseases,particulate matter (PM); PM, particulate matter; PPE, personal protective equipment; Respiratory diseases; SLDBI, state level disease burden initiative; UNEP, united nations environment programme; USD, United States dollar; WHO, world health organization; μg/m³, micrograms per cubic metre.
© 2022 The Authors.