THE IMPACT OF RESTRICTION MEASURES IMPLEMENTATION DUE TO COVID-19 ΟΝ PARTICULATE ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION IN GREEK URBAN AREAS

Kofinas Periklis¹, Kelessis Apostolos^1,2, Kassomenos Pavlos^1,3

¹ Hellenic Open University, School of Sciences and Technology/WM, Aristotelous 18,

Patras 26335, Greece. E-mail: Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. / Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.

² Environmental Department, Municipality of Thessaloniki, Kleanthous 18, Thessaloniki GR-54642.

³ University of Ioannina, Department of Physics, Lab. of Meteorology, Ioannina 45110, Greece.

DOI: 10.62579/JAGC0003

Abstract

In this work, the variation on the levels of suspended particulates, in Greek urban areas, was examined, for the period of the restrictive measures implementation (period 1: March to May 2020 and period 2: November 2020 to January 2021) due to the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. The PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations are measured by the National Air Pollution Monitoring Network of Greece monitored by the Energy/Environment Ministry. In particular, a comparison of the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentration levels was made, concerning the above time periods, with the corresponding atmospheric pollution levels during the periods 2001-2009 (period before the Greek economic crisis), 2010-2019 (period during the Greek economic crisis), as well as with the entire time period 2001-2019. The assessment showed a significant reduction in the levels of both PM₁₀ concentrations, which ranged from 8% to 45%, and PM_2.5 concentrations, which ranged from 13% to 48%, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the control measures in improving air quality in Greek urban areas. The above findings show that with appropriate emission control strategies, vital improvements in the air environment of urban areas can be achieved.

Keywords

Atmospheric pollution, Particle pollution, COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive measures.