Guardian: Clean air in Europe during lockdown ‘leads to 11,000 fewer deaths’

Improved air quality in recent weeks has led to 11,000 fewer deaths from air pollution across Europe, research has found.

The Guardian reports on research that declines in road traffic and emissions from industry have also resulted in over one million fewer days of work absence, 6,000 fewer children developing asthma, 1,900 avoided emergency room visits and 600 fewer preterm births. The research has been published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Compared with the same period last year, levels of nitrogen dioxide have fallen by 40% while tiny particulate matter – known as PM2.5 – is down 10%, which means that people without Covid-19 can breathe easier. These two forms of pollution, which weaken the heart and respiratory system, are together normally responsible for about 470,000 deaths in Europe each year.

You can read the full article from the Guardian here.