Effects of Covid-19 Restrictions on Air Quality in Northern Ireland
Date published:
DAERA has published the report of an investigation into the effects of the first Covid-19 ‘lockdown’ on air quality in Northern Ireland.
The report, prepared by Ricardo Energy and Environment, considers levels of pollutants from 1st January to 31st May 2020. This period spans the onset of social distancing measures on 16 March 2020 and the beginning of lockdown on 23 March 2020.
Daily measurements of pollutants, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and coarse particulate matter (PM10) from Northern Ireland’s 21 monitoring stations were compared to levels modelled for 2020 if lockdown did not occur.
The full report and a summary version are available to view below.