Traffic Pollution Drops in Lockdown – but Other Risks to Air Quality Increase, Reveal Manchester Researchers

Typography

Traffic pollution for most parts of the UK is plummeting thanks to the COVID-19 lockdown but more urban ozone is probably being generated, say experts from The University of Manchester.

The analysis was led by Hugh Coe, Professor of Atmospheric Composition, plus air pollution expert Dr James Allan from Manchester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Their findings have been submitted in response to a call for evidence from the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

According to Manchester research, levels of nitrogen oxides have shown reduction in most locations in the UK during mid-March and April when lockdown has been in full force – but the level of decline ranges from of 20 to 80 percent.

Manchester’s city centre, for example, has seen a 70 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides.

Continue reading at University of Manchester

Image via University of Manchester