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Has air quality improved in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic? A parametric analysis

Abstract:

Many governments around the world have enforced quarantine policies to control the spread of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). These policies have had positive and negative effects on the environment. For example, the concentrations of certain harmful pollutants have decreased in some countries. In contrast, the concentrations of other pollutants have increased. This research analyzes the effect of quarantine policies on air quality in Quito, Ecuador. Using a parametric approach, it was found that NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations have decreased significantly since the establishment of lockdown measures. However, O3 concentrations have increased considerably in 2020.