Atmospheric Hg(p) concentrations at various particles sizes before (2018-2019) and during (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) COVID-19 occurred periods in Taichung, Taiwan

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to compare concentrations of atmospheric Hg(p) for various particles sizes Total Suspended Particulates (TSP), PM₁₈, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, PM₁, PM_<1 before (2018-2019) and during (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) COVID-19 occurred periods in central Taiwan. In addition, test the statistical differences concentrations of Hg(p) for various particles sizes before and during COVID-19 occurred periods in central Taiwan. Finally, calculate the Hg(p) health risk assessment before and during COVID-19 occurred period in central Taiwan.The result indicated that the mean Hg(p) concentrations in TSP and PM_2.5 were higher during (2020-2021) the COVID-19 occurred period than that of the mean Hg(p) concentrations in TSP and PM_2.5 before the COVID-19 occurred period. In addition, the Hg(p)concentrations PM₁₈, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, PM₁ and PM_<1 were all increased during the COVID-19 occurred period. The Hg(p) concentrations in TSP were decreased during (2019-2020) the COVID-19 occurred period when compared with that of the before the COVID-19 occurred period. Moreover, significant mean Hg(p) concentrations differences were existed at PM₁₈, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 before and during (2020-2021) COVID-19 occurred periods. Finally, the HQ and HI values for Hg(p) were both increased during COVID-19 occurred periods when compared with before COVID-19 occurred period in this study.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hg(p); Particles; health risk assessment.