NO2 levels fell by more than 70% during COVID-19 lockdown in New Delhi

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels has fell down by more than 70% during the lockdown in New Delhi. According to a study report the environmental gains could be temporary if the cities re-open without policies to prevent air pollution and promote de-carbonisation.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

With an estimated 90 per cent of all reported COVID-19 cases, urban areas have become the epicentre of the pandemic.

It also pointed out that several new scientific studies suggest that poor air quality is correlated with higher COVID-19 mortality rates.

The size of their populations and their high level of global and local interconnectivity make them particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus.

New evidence also points to impacts on pregnant women and newborn babies as well as maternal mortality, particularly among populations already facing socio-economic stress due to marginalisation.