AIR-LOCK
This multi-country study will evaluate whether changes in mortality are associated with changes in ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels before, during, and after COVID-19 lockdowns and disentangle the short-term effects of NO2 versus PM2.5 on mortality.
This multi-country study will evaluate whether changes in mortality are associated with changes in ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels before, during, and after COVID-19 lockdowns and disentangle the short-term effects of NO2 versus PM2.5 on mortality.
Overview
Unprecedented lockdown measures were implemented worldwide to control the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant but temporary air pollution reductions. Both satellite and ground-level measurements showed substantial decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations during the lockdowns at the city or county level. In contrast, changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were inconsistent, with reductions comparable to NO2, smaller reductions, or even increases. These disproportionate changes in ambient NO2 and PM2.5 pollution provide a rare opportunity for a natural experiment to address critical questions regarding the causal effects of NO2 and PM2.5 exposure on health.
- To evaluate whether changes in mortality are associated with changes in ambient NO2 and PM2.5 levels before, during, and after lockdowns
- To disentangle the short-term effects of NO2 versus PM2.5 on mortality - a challenge that has proven difficult in prior research due to the high correlation between these two pollutants
Daily cause-specific mortality data in 2015-2020 of specific regions that implemented lockdown measures leading to air pollution reductions but were not severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the lockdown period: Jiangsu, China, Central and Southern Italy, Northern and Eastern Germany, and California, United States
Health Effects Institute (funding period: June 2021 - May 2023)
Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences (USA): Kai Chen, Robert Dubrow, Yiqun Ma
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, IBE-Chair of Epidemiology/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology: Susanne Breitner-Busch, Anne Marb
Lazio Region Health Service, Department of Epidemiology (Italy): Massimo Stafoggia, Federica Nobile
Boston University School of Public Health (USA): Patrick Kinney
Unprecedented lockdown measures were implemented worldwide to control the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant but temporary air pollution reductions. Both satellite and ground-level measurements showed substantial decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations during the lockdowns at the city or county level. In contrast, changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations were inconsistent, with reductions comparable to NO2, smaller reductions, or even increases. These disproportionate changes in ambient NO2 and PM2.5 pollution provide a rare opportunity for a natural experiment to address critical questions regarding the causal effects of NO2 and PM2.5 exposure on health.
- To evaluate whether changes in mortality are associated with changes in ambient NO2 and PM2.5 levels before, during, and after lockdowns
- To disentangle the short-term effects of NO2 versus PM2.5 on mortality - a challenge that has proven difficult in prior research due to the high correlation between these two pollutants
Daily cause-specific mortality data in 2015-2020 of specific regions that implemented lockdown measures leading to air pollution reductions but were not severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the lockdown period: Jiangsu, China, Central and Southern Italy, Northern and Eastern Germany, and California, United States
Health Effects Institute (funding period: June 2021 - May 2023)
Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences (USA): Kai Chen, Robert Dubrow, Yiqun Ma
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, IBE-Chair of Epidemiology/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology: Susanne Breitner-Busch, Anne Marb
Lazio Region Health Service, Department of Epidemiology (Italy): Massimo Stafoggia, Federica Nobile
Boston University School of Public Health (USA): Patrick Kinney
