Effect on Ambient Air Quality in Nagpur due to lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020: a case study

The present paper deals with the studies on change in concentration of three standard pollutants namely, respiratory suspended particulate matter (RSPM or PM10), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen (NO2) because lockdown India to prevent spread COVID-19 pandemic 2020. monthly average concentrations above observed at four monitoring stations around Nagpur city during January December 2020 were analyzed compared. Due pandemic, there was a complete from 25th March 31st May phased reopening areas outside containment zones June 1st onwards. It is found that all reduced by about 50 % 75 due lockdown. During lockdown, minimum PM10, SO2 NO2 amongst be 40, 5 11 µg/m3, respectively, whereas maximum 159, 20, respectively. below standards prescribed CPCB, which increase reopening. Air quality index (AQI) less than (i.e. SATISFACTORY), it increased 100 MODERATE) after As result, annual compared previous years.