The COVID-19 lockdown impact on air quality: A Case Study of Two Districts in Kabul City, Afghanistan

Asmatullah Usmani; Wais Mohammad Lali; Bilal Ahmad Rahimi

doi:10.62810/jnsr.v3i3.238

Authors

Asmatullah Usmani Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Kandahar University- kandahar-Afghanistan
Wais Mohammad Lali Research Center, Kandahar University- kandahar Afghanistan
Bilal Ahmad Rahimi cDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar University-kandahar Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v3i3.238

Keywords:

Air quality, Air pollutants, COVID-19, Lockdown

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly worldwide, causing millions of deaths. To curb transmission, many countries imposed lockdowns, leading to a noticeable improvement in air quality. During the peak of the pandemic, Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital and one of the world’s most polluted cities, enforced a three-month lockdown. This study evaluates the impact of the lockdown on Kabul’s air quality by analyzing variations in pollutant concentrations (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃) across two districts before and during the lockdown. Air quality data from the National Environmental Protection Agency was evaluated using a paired-samples t-test. The results revealed a significant decline in pollution levels. Pre-lockdown, Kabul’s air quality was severely degraded, with PM₂.₅ (334–362 µg/m³) and PM₁₀ (491–518 µg/m³) exceeding standards by 4.5× and 3×, respectively, while NO₂ peaked at 565 µg/m³ (7× the limit). During Lockdown, concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and SO₂ dropped, nearing permissible levels. This suggests that reduced human activities lead to cleaner air. These findings highlight the benefits of strategic emission controls, offering policymakers actionable insights for improving Kabul’s air quality.

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Author Biographies

Wais Mohammad Lali, Research Center, Kandahar University- kandahar Afghanistan

Natural scineces advisoir

Vice Chancellor for Research Affairs, Kandaahar University

Bilal Ahmad Rahimi, cDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar University-kandahar Afghanistan

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