Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on air quality and solid waste generation: a case study in a metropolitan city, Mumbai, India

Abstract

Background: There is limited information describing the change on quality of air and solid waste generation if there is limited and efficient use of vehicles and the shutdown of industries producing hazardous air pollutants that have been achieved by the lockdown. Study assessed changes in the quality of air and solid waste generation due to Lockdown.Methods: It was an analytical study where the data is received from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board data for Mumbai during the period from December 2019 to July 2020. Analysis of Air pollutants like PM10, SO2, NO2, Air quality index, and solid waste generated are taken into consideration.Results: Findings of air quality data has been analysed from December to July. Where the mean air quality index before the lockdown was 251 which is very unhealthy and during lockdown was 62 which is moderate which is a 75% reduction in the pollutants and the solid waste generation before the lockdown was 6338.63 Metric tons per day which have been reduced to 4121.23 Metric tons per day which is a reduction of 34.98 %.Conclusions: This study provides information about how the environment would heal itself if there is a restriction on the use of vehicles and shutting down factories producing hazardous pollutants. This would provide the evidence for the Pollution Control Board to implement policy to improve air quality and solid waste generation, which would have a positive impact on human health and ecosystem.