AIR QUALITY DURING ISOLATION PERIODS DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: NITROGEN DIOXIDE ANALYSIS IN COLOMBIAN CITIES

ABSTRACT

This study analyses air quality behavior by considering nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as a reference parameter during atypical conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. NO2 concentrations in 31 departmental capital cities of Colombia (South America) were evaluated during four periods according to government dispositions to face the pandemic (I) before isolation (normal conditions), (II) mandatory isolation (significant traffic and industrial activity reduction), (III) intelligent isolation (return of some commercial activities), and (IV) selective isolation (Increase of authorized commercial activities). A good fit between ground data and satellite information is observed. Results indicate that most of the cities (45%) present a counterintuitive behavior with concentration increments for Period II with respect to Period I. © 2022, Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, c/o Dr. Pratima Sharma. All rights reserved.