Effect of COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown (general holiday) on air quality of Dhaka City

A worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has forced the Government Bangladesh to implement a lockdown during April–May 2020 by restricting people’s movement; shutdown industries and motor vehicles; closing markets, public places, schools contain virus. This type strict measures caused an outcome, reduction urban air pollution, around world. The present study aims investigate concentration pollutants in Dhaka City Air Quality Index (AQI). Necessary time-series data PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO have been collected from archive Monitoring Station US Embassy Sentinel-5P. analyzed descriptive statistics, AQI was calculated following appropriate formula suggested Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on criteria pollutants. found that concentrations reduced 26, 30, 07, 07%, respectively, compared with preceding year’s concentrations. Moreover, also about 35% average period than same times previous year. However, magnitude pollution is lower other cities countries globally, including Delhi, Sao Paulo, Wuhan, Spain, Italy, USA. main reasons may include, among others, poor implementation (especially first week April second fortnight May), pre-existing transboundary incineration solid waste, etc. will help policymakers figure out how regulate sources improve quality Dhaka.