Air Quality During Mobility Restrictions in Sao Paulo State Municipalities

26 Pages Posted: 9 Oct 2021 Last revised: 8 Dec 2021

See all articles by Samirys Sara Rodrigues Cirqueira

Samirys Sara Rodrigues Cirqueira

University of São Paulo (USP)

Patricia Rodrigues

Institute for Advanced Studies

Pedro Branco

Universidade do Porto

Evangelina Vormittag

The Health and Sustainability Institute

Rafael Nunes

Universidade do Porto

Andressa Vilas Boas Anastacio

University of São Paulo (USP)

Mariana Veras

University of São Paulo (USP) - Ribeirao Preto Medical School

Sofia Sousa

Universidade do Porto

Paulo Saldiva

University of São Paulo (USP) - Ribeirao Preto Medical School

Abstract

The air quality in the state of Sao Paulo was evaluated during the first general State plan of mobility restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemics (24th March to 31st May 2020). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 μm (PM10) and 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentrations were assessed in all cities of the Sao Paulo state with a monitoring station and compared to historical data. Linear regression models were built to quantify the linear relation between the isolation index and the concentration of each pollutant during the studied period. There was a significant reduction of SO2 and NO2 concentrations in 2020 compared with the historical data due to the influence of social isolation in 50% and 67% of the monitoring stations, respectively. On the contrary, O3 and PM 10 concentrations increased in 21% and 35% of the stations, respectively (especially in urban areas affected by vehicle traffic and industrial production). Generally, it was possible to observe positive environmental impacts and improved air quality during mobility restrictions, with reductions in the concentration of pollutants in most monitoring stations compared to historical data. This study intends to contribute to future discussions on the effects of implementing restriction measures and other air quality policies on the global environment.

Keywords: Air quality, mobility restrictions, COVID-19

Suggested Citation

Rodrigues Cirqueira, Samirys Sara and Rodrigues, Patricia and Branco, Pedro and Vormittag, Evangelina and Nunes, Rafael and Boas Anastacio, Andressa Vilas and Veras, Mariana and Sousa, Sofia and Saldiva, Paulo, Air Quality During Mobility Restrictions in Sao Paulo State Municipalities. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3939417 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3939417

Samirys Sara Rodrigues Cirqueira

University of São Paulo (USP) ( email )

Rua Luciano Gualberto, 315
São Paulo, São Paulo 14800-901
Brazil

Patricia Rodrigues (Contact Author)

Institute for Advanced Studies ( email )

Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto 380
Sao Paulo, 05508-010
Brazil

Pedro Branco

Universidade do Porto ( email )

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias
4200-464 Porto
Portugal

Evangelina Vormittag

The Health and Sustainability Institute ( email )

Sao Paulo
Brazil

Rafael Nunes

Universidade do Porto ( email )

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias
4200-464 Porto
Portugal

Andressa Vilas Boas Anastacio

University of São Paulo (USP) ( email )

Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto 380
Sao Paulo, 05508-010
Brazil

Mariana Veras

University of São Paulo (USP) - Ribeirao Preto Medical School ( email )

Sofia Sousa

Universidade do Porto ( email )

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias
4200-464 Porto
Portugal

Paulo Saldiva

University of São Paulo (USP) - Ribeirao Preto Medical School ( email )

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