COVID-19 Lock-down and Air Quality Enhancement in Kabul

Year 2021, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 95 - 106, 31.12.2021

Abobakar Hımat

Abstract

COVID-19 has spread rapidly all over the world and affects most people. Lock-down due to the COVID-19 has enhanced air quality in most populated cities of the world. In this study, the air quality of Kabul city pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 is assessed. Five parameters (pollutants) in air quality have been assessed which are: suspended particles with the diameter (PM10, PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). The air quality parameters have been compared with their National Air Quality Standard values. The air quality of Kabul pre-COVID-19 was hazardous and not healthy. In post-COVID-19 lock-down the air quality of the city has enhanced. The air quality of Afghanistan is not safe, especially in major cities. Kabul is the capital of the country which is suffering from poor air quality.

Keywords

Air quality, COVID-19, Particulate Matter, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Oxide, Ozone

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