The effect on air quality of lockdown directives to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Campania Region-Italy: Indications for a sustainable development

Abstract

Data on air quality collected by the regional network of fixed stations in the most urbanized areas of the Campania region in the south of Italy are examined. Two periods are considered: before and during the adoption of the main directives limiting human activities to fight the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first period is from 5 February to 5 March, and the second is from 13 March to 13 April. Meteorological conditions in the two periods were compared and significant differences were not observed. Therefore, the comparison of air quality data is feasible. During the second period, an intercontinental transport of particulate matter occurred. Data collected during this event (4 p.m. on 30 March to 4 p.m. on 31 March) were excluded from the analysis. The main reduction of pollutant concentration is observed for NO2 (-48% of the period average). PM10 shows a lower reduction (-17%). The PM2.5 average period concentration was quite constant, while the 98° percentile was reduced by -21%. Ozone shows, on the contrary, an increase in concentration due mainly to an increase in solar irradiation during the 2nd period, but also due to the decrease of NOx concentration. The reduction or the increase of pollutant concentration depends on the category of the station: background, industrial, residential, and traffic. In addition to air quality, the reduction of anthropogenic emissions is also studied. All the information available on the reduction of emissions from transport, industry, heating, and other main emissive sectors were collected. The results give useful insights for the development of air quality management policies that could be adopted when the sanitary emergency will end to guarantee the sustainable development of the Campania region.