Air pollution reduction and mortality benefit during the COVID-19 outbreak in China

Abstract

To control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, China adopted stringent traffic restrictions and self-quarantine measures, first in Wuhan and neighboring cities beginning Jan 23, 2020, and then 2 days later in all provinces in China (figure). The countrywide ban on traffic mobility greatly reduced transportation emissions, whereas emissions from residential heating and industry remained steady or slightly declined.1 In this Comment, we examine the change in air pollution and the potentially avoided cause-specific mortality during this large-scale quarantine.