China sees one beneficial effect from virus: much less air pollution

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China is experiencing a major drop in air pollution, an unanticipated effect of its factories being forced to shut down to cope with the new coronavirus.

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An analysis of satellite data collected by European countries and the United States suggests air quality in the country has significantly improved since several Chinese cities were locked down and factories stopped operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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Levels of nitrogen dioxide concentration, a major pollutant, have fallen as much as 30 percent.

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To the amazement of scientists and researchers, the diminution exceeds the cut in pollution that occurred in 2008 when the global financial crisis triggered a production slowdown in the country.

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“This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event,” a researcher at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said.

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From late February, nitrogen dioxide concentration in areas in eastern and central China, including Wuhan, Beijing and Shanghai, have been 10- to 30-percent less than the average concentration during the period from 2005 and 2019, according to data collected by the European Space Agency (ESA)’s upper atmosphere research satellite Sentinel-5 and other sources.

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Beijing ordered Wuhan closed on Jan. 23, forbidding anyone to enter or leave the city to contain the spread of the virus. Public transportation and local companies subsequently ceased operations one after another.

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Researchers believe nitrogen dioxide emitted from factories, electric power plants, automobiles and other sources has largely decreased as a result.

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Nitrogen dioxide concentration decreased during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but the effects were limited to Beijing and surrounding areas. The current wide-scale decrease is unprecedented, researchers said.

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Air pollution in China typically drops during the Chinese New Year holidays, but this year “the reduction rate is more significant than in past years and it has lasted longer,” according to a NASA scientist who monitors the levels.

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