Stark measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are resulting in a clear reduction in air pollution in Europe, particularly due to reduced traffic in cities, according to European Environment Agency data published on 25 March.
These data concern the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a pollutant mainly emitted by road transport.
They indicate that in Milan, average concentrations for the last four weeks have been at least 24% lower than in an equivalent period earlier this year. The average concentration during the week of 16-22 March was 21% lower than for the same week in 2019.
In Bergamo, there has been a constant decline in NO2 pollution over the past four weeks. The average concentration during the week of 16-22 March was 47% lower than for the same week in 2019.
In Rome, average NO2 concentrations for the past four weeks were 26-35% lower than those for the same weeks in 2019.
Similar trends can be observed in other European cities where containment measures were put in place during the week of 16-22 March, the EEA points out.
However, this is a short-term reduction, warns again Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the EEA (EUROPE 12451/12). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)