A take-home message from COVID-19 on urban air pollution reduction through mobility limitations and teleworking

Abstract The rigorous traffic limitations during COVID-19 have forced many people to work from home, reaching an outstanding degree of teleworking and reduction in air pollution. This exceptional situation can be examined as a large-scale pilot test determine the potential improving urban quality through teleworking. Based on observed reductions lockdown Barcelona, we formulate socio-occupational scenarios, with various configurations teleworking, simulate them using chemistry transport model WRF-Chem multi-layer scheme. By intensifying 2, 3, 4 days week, averaged NO 2 concentrations are reduced by 4% (−1.5 μg m −3 ), 8% (−3 10% (−6 respectively, while O 3 increases moderately (up ). We propose that prioritized promoted effective contribution towards long-term pollution short-term peaks.