India Displays Significant Drop In Air Pollution Since Nationwide Covid-19 Lock Down

The lack of human activity has proven healthy for the planet’s well-being as multiple locations around the world that was previous known for their severe pollution have shown significant improvement.

For example, India has always been one of the most highly polluted countries in the world, as they’ve faced excessive levels of harmful microscopic particulate matter known as PM 2.5, and of nitrogen dioxide, which is released by vehicles and power plants.

As according to CNN, major cities in India, including Delhi has seen a drastic drop in these suffocating pollution levels since they’ve undergone a full nationwide lock down due to the Covid-19 virus.

The drastic change in the air can be seen in a comparison pictures of the India Gate in New Delhi, taken four months apart.

The air pollution caused from all the soot and smoke from the factories and vehicles on their roads has become a very serious health issue in India.

PM 2.5, which is smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, is insanely dangerous as it can get lodged deep inside the lungs and pass into other parts of the body through the bloodstream, causing health risks.

“I have not seen such blue skies in Delhi for the past 10 years,” said Jyoti Pande Lavakare, the co-founder of Indian environmental organization Care for Air.

What a silver lining to an awful crisis. Hopefully after the Covid-19 virus has been eradicated and the lock downs are over, we continue to work on fixing the pollution we’ve created and maintain the improvements we’ve achieved.