Affiliations 

  • 1 Centre for Surveying Science and Geomatics Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Perlis, Kampus Arau, 02600 Arau, Perlis Malaysia
  • 2 Centre of Foundation Studies, UiTM Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Dengkil, 43800 Dengkil, Selangor Malaysia
  • 3 Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Perlis, Kampus Arau, 02600 Arau, Perlis Malaysia
  • 4 Centre of Environmental Health & Safety Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Selangor, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA
  • 6 Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia
  • 7 Climate and Climate Change, School of Engineering, Cassie Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
Earth Syst Environ, 2023;7(1):347-358.
PMID: 36247032 DOI: 10.1007/s41748-022-00329-7

Abstract

The unprecedented outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the whole world in every aspect including health, social life, economic activity, education, and the environment. The pandemic has led to an improvement in air quality all around the world, including in Malaysia. Lockdowns have resulted in industry shutting down and road travel decreasing which can reduce the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and air pollution. This research assesses the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on emissions using the Air Pollution Index (API), aerosols, and GHG which is Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in Malaysia. The data used is from Sentinel-5p and Sentinel-2A which monitor the air quality based on Ozone (O3) and NO2 concentration. Using an interpolated API Index Map comparing 2019, before the implementation of a Movement Control Order (MCO), and 2020, after the MCO period we examine the impact on pollution during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Data used Sentinel-5p, Sentinel-2A, and Air Pollution Index of Malaysia (APIMS) to monitor the air quality that contains NO2 concentration. The result has shown the recovery in air quality during the MCO implementation which indirectly shows anthropogenic activities towards the environmental condition. The study will help to enhance and support the policy and scope for air pollution management strategies as well as raise public awareness of the main causes that contribute to air pollution.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.