ABSTRACT
Previous studies focused on investigating particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) have shown the risk of disease development, and association with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The current review investigate epidemiological and experimental findings from 2016 to 2021, which enabled the systemic overview of PM2.5's toxic impacts on human health. The Web of Science database search used descriptive terms to investigate the interaction among PM2.5 exposure, systemic effects, and COVID-19 disease. Analyzed studies have indicated that cardiovascular and respiratory systems have been extensively investigated and indicated as the main air pollution targets. Nevertheless, PM2.5 reaches other organic systems and harms the renal, neurological, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Pathologies onset and/or get worse due to toxicological effects associated with the exposure to this particle type, since it can trigger several reactions, such as inflammatory responses, oxidative stress generation and genotoxicity. These cellular dysfunctions lead to organ malfunctions, as shown in the current review. In addition, the correlation between COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM2.5 exposure was also assessed to help better understand the role of atmospheric pollution in the pathophysiology of this disease. Despite the significant number of studies about PM2.5's effects on organic functions, available in the literature, there are still gaps in knowledge about how this particulate matter can hinder human health. The current review aimed to approach the main findings about the effect of PM2.5 exposure on different systems, and demonstrate the likely interaction of COVID-19/Sars-CoV-2 and PM2.5.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the pollutant levels (NO2, SO2, CO, and O-3), air quality index (AQI) and the influence of meteorological variables and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the air quality in Rio de Janeiro. The data set used comprises periods before (March-April, 2019) and during pandemic (March-April, 2020). According to the AQI results, on most days, the air quality was ranked as "good". Brazilian air quality standards for SO2, O-3, and NO2 were not exceeded in any of the monitoring stations during partial lockdown, while CO exceeded in all periods in one site due to industrial emission. Comparing both periods, descriptive statistics for the meteorological parameters presented no differences, which suggests similar conditions. However, when evaluated week by week in 2020, weather conditions presented some differences that probably affected pollutant concentrations. The correlations between O-3 and NO2 and some meteorological parameters indicate that variations in both favored ozone formation, since it is a photochemical process favored by temperature and solar radiation and that, in Rio de Janeiro, low NO2 concentrations lead to increased O-3. The improvements on air quality during the partial lockdown may be attributed mainly to a reduction on emission sources rather than weather conditions.
ABSTRACT
Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive measures are taken by several cities around the world, as well as Rio de Janeiro, reducing routine activities in large urban centers and primary pollutant emissions. This study aims to assess air quality during this partial lockdown through O3, CO, and PM10 concentrations and meteorological data collected in five air quality monitoring stations spread over the whole city, considering the substantial changes in city routine. The period evaluated starts in March 2020, when the partial lockdown was decreed, and ends in September 2020, when economic opening ended. Compared with 2019 data, CO concentration reduced significantly, as expected since the main source of these pollutants is vehicular traffic. O3 concentration increased, most probably as a consequence of the reduction in primary pollutants. On the other hand, PM10 concentration did not vary significantly. From June to September, pollutant concentrations increased responding to the economic opening. Thereby, the partial lockdown contributed to improving air quality in Rio de Janeiro City, which means that changes in work format may be an alternative to reduce atmospheric pollution in big cities, since home office contributes to mobility reductions, and consequently to vehicular emissions. Highlights: ⢠Lockdown contributed to CO reduction and O3 increase.⢠Differences on rain profile explain low variation on PM10 concentrations.⢠Lockdown has been like a very long weekend concerning atmospheric pollution.⢠Home office and distance learning improve air quality. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-021-01127-2.