Mission of the Project

This project is sponsored by Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research. The project was initiated by researchers under the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry – Monsoon Asia and Oceania Networking Group (IGAC-Mango). This study aims to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the air quality in major cities in 13 countries within the Monsoon Asia region. Changes in major air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) for all the countries involved will be assessed and compared using available satellite and ground-level data. The number of COVID-19 cases in major cities in the selected countries will be collected via relevant agencies that monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in each country. Temporal changes in concentrations of criteria airborne pollutants prior to, during, and post COVID-19 lockdowns will be examined. Other concurrent factors affecting the resultant amounts of air pollutants, such as changes in the number of motor vehicles, industrial emissions, and weather will be investigated. Concurrent with data evaluation, this study will build interactions with policymakers and stakeholders to engage their needs and interests in the association between COVID-19 effects and the resultant air quality. The proposed studies are expected to generate cross-country comparisons in air quality and associated dominant factors during the pandemic lockdowns and enhance country-dependent science-policy interactions. 

Project Timeline

This research project grant (CRRP2021-02MY-Latif) is conducted starting in October 2021 and is expected to be completed in September 2023.

Project Activity

This project provide training workshops and activities that actively engage scientists and policymakers from different Asian monsoon countries.