Air quality characteristics in Wuhan (China) during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

Understanding the relationship between air quality, pollution emission control measures, and meteorological conditions is important for developing effective air quality improvement policies. In this study, we used pollution monitoring and meteorological data from January to May 2020 to analyze the air quality characteristics during the COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan, which lasted from January 23 to April 8, 2020. Compared with the same period in 2019, the air quality in 2020 was significantly better. The total excellent and good air quality rates increased by 17.58%-90.08% in 2020; concentrations of NO₂, particulate matter with a diameter <10 μm (PM₁₀) and <2.5 μm (PM_2.5), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) also decreased by 38.23%, 30.25%, 32.92%, and 39.80%, respectively. Moreover, the number of days with NO₂, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 as the primary pollutants decreased by approximately 10%, 9%, and 15%, respectively. We compared the wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity in January-April 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 and found no obvious correlation between meteorological factors and improved air quality during the 2020 lockdown. The implementation of strict lockdown measures, such as home quarantining, traffic restrictions, and non-essential enterprise shutdowns, was the dominant cause for the substantial air quality improvement during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan.