Environmental implications of reduced electricity consumption in Wuhan during COVID-19 outbreak: A brief study

Spatiotemporal evolution of PM2.5 and its components and drivers in China, 2000-2023: effects of air pollution prevention and control actions in China

This study evaluated the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) in China using 2000-2023 data. The average annual PM2.5 concentration dropped from 46.11 ± 16.18 µg/m3 to 31.75 ± 14.22 µg/m3 (P < 0.05) after APPCAP, with components showing a similar decline. Temporal analysis via Mann-Kendall test indicated a decreasing trend (Z < 0, P < 0.05), seasonally peaking in winter and lowest in summer. Spatially, APPCAP reduced concentration distribution, with key regions improving but areas like Shandong and Henan still facing severe pollution. The main PM2.5 driver shifted from human (e.g., population density) to meteorological (e.g., temperature) factors post-APPCAP, and anthropogenic influence varied across regions. In summary, APPCAP has curbed PM2.5 pollution, yet SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+ remain relatively high, and the increasing human impact in central and southeastern China demands attention in future policies.

The effects of air pollution, meteorological parameters, and climate change on COVID-19 comorbidity and health disparities: A systematic review

Air pollutants, especially particulate matter, and other meteorological factors serve as important carriers of infectious microbes and play a critical role in the spread of disease. However, there remains uncertainty about the relationship among particulate matter, other air pollutants, meteorological conditions and climate change and the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), hereafter referred to as COVID-19. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines to identify the relationship between air quality, meteorological conditions and climate change, and COVID-19 risk and outcomes, host related factors, co-morbidities and disparities. Out of a total of 170,296 scientific publications screened, 63 studies were identified that focused on the relationship between air pollutants and COVID-19. Additionally, the contribution of host related-factors, co-morbidities, and health disparities was discussed. This review found a preponderance of evidence of a positive relationship between PM_2.5, other air pollutants, and meteorological conditions and climate change on COVID-19 risk and outcomes. The effects of PM_2.5, air pollutants, and meteorological conditions on COVID-19 mortalities were most commonly experienced by socially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. Results however, were not entirely consistent, and varied by geographic region and study. Opportunities for using data to guide local response to COVID-19 are identified.