Over the past years, environmental conservation has been a critical topic of discussion in many countries. Pollution arising from different industrial activities is one of the main factors negatively impacting tourism. Before visiting a nation, one of the essential things you consider is the environment. Visiting places with adverse environmental pollution places you at risk of contracting infections.
During the coronavirus pandemic, environmental pollution rates dropped drastically in many cities. The decrease in pollution resulted from the closure of many industrial activities aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus. Here are some cities that experienced a significant reduction in environmental pollution rates.
New Delhi
For a long time, New Delhi has been among the world’s most polluted cities. Overpopulation in the Indian capital is among the leading causes of intense air pollution evident through a brown smog cloud surrounding the city. The pollution arises from industries, power plants, construction sites, and transport emissions within the city environs. Despite previous efforts by the Indian government to curb contamination, the quality of air in New Delhi was still deteriorating.
During the coronavirus outbreak, industries and other activities contributing to pollution in New Delhi shut down to contain the virus’s spread. The closure of industries resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of pollutants in New Delhi. It is estimated that the pollution rates reduced by over 60 per cent during the lockdown period, making the air in New Delhi more than 20 times better than the WHO’s recommended standards.
New York City
New York is one of the busiest and most populated cities in the world. The high traffic volumes in New York are one of the leading causes of air pollution in the city. It is estimated that more than 1000 people suffered respiratory problems as a result of air pollution in New York City. The coronavirus outbreak led to a drop in traffic volume within this city by over 30 per cent.
The decline in traffic was due to lockdowns and limited industrial activities targeted at stopping the virus’s spread. It was established that the air quality in New York has significantly improved due to the reduction of traffic volumes. The improvement in air quality results from a drop in the amount of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted by vehicles and industries. The closure of factories during lockdown resulted in less toxic by-products that would otherwise be disposed of in the environment.
London
Lockdowns imposed by authorities to curb the coronavirus’s spread had a positive impact on the air quality in London. With the reduction in trips made by motorists, the amount of carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide released to the atmosphere dropped significantly. Narrow streets and high-rise buildings characterize London, making it hard for polluted air to escape outside the city. As a result, the quality of air reduces every time pollutants are released into the atmosphere. It is estimated that motorists generate more than half the amount of air pollutants in London. However, industries and agricultural farms near the city also contribute significant pollutants to the air in London.
Beijing
China is one of the most affected countries by the Covid-19 outbreak. Immediately after the spread of the virus started, China closed down activities in major cities; these included Beijing. The strict guidelines that limited movement and industrial activities led to a significant drop in the number of pollutants in the air. For instance, the amount of nitrogen dioxide released into the atmosphere decreased by more than 50 per cent.
Particulate matter pollution caused by industrial activities also reduced by over 30 per cent. Particulate matter, also referred to as PM25, is small solids and liquid droplets that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and even the bloodstream. Particulate matter is the primary cause of respiratory complications related to air pollution in major cities.
Although the reduction in industrial activities led to decreased pollution rates, it is everyone’s responsibility to maintain the environment’s low levels of pollutants. If you are planning to travel after the lockdown, look for cities with improved air quality. You can find more information on these cities on online platforms such as dealchecker. The amount of pollutants in some cities is already rising to the same levels as before the coronavirus pandemic. The rise is due to the resumption of industrial activities targeting to make up for time lost during lockdowns.
