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Effect of COVID-19-restrictive measures on ambient particulate matter pollution in Yangon, Myanmar.
Aung, Win-Yu; Thein, Zaw-Lin; Matsuzawa, Sadao; Suzuki, Takehiro; Ishigaki, Yo; Fushimi, Akihiro; Mar, Ohn; Nakajima, Daisuke; Win-Shwe, Tin-Tin.
  • Aung WY; Department of Physiology, University of Medicine 1, Kamayut Township, 11014, Yangon, Myanmar.
  • Paw-Min-Thein-Oo; Department of Physiology, University of Medicine 1, Kamayut Township, 11014, Yangon, Myanmar.
  • Thein ZL; Department of Physiology, University of Medicine 1, Kamayut Township, 11014, Yangon, Myanmar.
  • Matsuzawa S; Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
  • Suzuki T; Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
  • Ishigaki Y; Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-communication, Chofu, Tokyo, 182-8585, Japan.
  • Fushimi A; Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
  • Mar O; Department of Physiology, University of Medicine 1, Kamayut Township, 11014, Yangon, Myanmar.
  • Nakajima D; Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
  • Win-Shwe TT; Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan. tin.tin.win.shwe@nies.go.jp.
Environ Health Prev Med ; 26(1): 92, 2021 Sep 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1496136
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Particulate matter (PM) is recognized as the most harmful air pollutant to the human health. The Yangon city indeed suffers much from PM-related air pollution. Recent research has interestingly been focused on the novel subject of changes in the air quality associated with the restrictive measures in place during the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 in Myanmar was diagnosed on March 23, 2020. In this article, we report on our attempt to evaluate any effects of the COVID-19-restrictive measures on the ambient PM pollution in Yangon.

METHODS:

We measured the PM concentrations every second for 1 week on four occasions at three study sites with different characteristics; the first occasion was before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the remaining three occasions were while the COVID-19-restrictive measures were in place, including Stay-At-Home and Work-From-Home orders. The Pocket PM2.5 Sensor [PRO] designed by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan, in cooperation with Yaguchi Electric Co., Ltd., (Miyagi, Japan) was used for the measurement of the ambient PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations.

RESULTS:

The results showed that there was a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in both the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations while the COVID-19-restrictive measures were in place as compared to the measured values prior to the pandemic. The city experienced a profound improvement in the PM-related air quality from the "unhealthy" category prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to the "good" category during the pandemic, when the restrictive measures were in place. The percent changes in the PM concentrations varied among the three study sites, with the highest percent reduction noted in a semi-commercial crowded area (84.8% for PM2.5; 88.6% for PM10) and the lowest percent reduction noted in a residential quiet area (15.6% for PM2.5; 12.0% for PM10); the percent reductions also varied among the different occasions during the COVID-19 pandemic that the measurements were made.

CONCLUSIONS:

We concluded that the restrictive measures which were in effect to combat the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the ambient PM concentrations. The changes in the PM concentrations are considered to be largely attributable to reduction in anthropogenic emissions as a result of the restrictive measures, although seasonal influences could also have contributed in part. Thus, frequent, once- or twice-weekly Stay-At-Home or Telework campaigns, may be feasible measures to reduce PM-related air pollution. When devising such an action plan, it would be essential to raise the awareness of public about the health risks associated with air pollution and create a social environment in which Telework can be carried out, in order to ensure active compliance by the citizens.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Air Pollution / Particulate Matter / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Environ Health Prev Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12199-021-01014-3

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Air Pollution / Particulate Matter / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: Environ Health Prev Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12199-021-01014-3