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Lockdown measures and air quality: evidence from Italian provinces

Author

Listed:
  • Maurizio Malpede

    (Università Bocconi)

  • Marco Percoco

    (Università Bocconi)

Abstract

The aim of this short communication is to estimate the effects of the implementation of more restrictive lockdown measures on pollution levels in Italy. Using a time series of weekly concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 for the period 2016–2020 across 71 provinces, we find that the introduction of lockdown measures reduced the air concentration levels of PM10 and NO2 by 17–18%, while their effect on PM2.5 remains unclear. These results indicate that the lockdown had a significant positive impact in terms of lives saved and improved air quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurizio Malpede & Marco Percoco, 2021. "Lockdown measures and air quality: evidence from Italian provinces," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 101-110, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:lsprsc:v:14:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s12076-021-00267-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s12076-021-00267-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douglas Almond & Janet Currie & Valentina Duque, 2018. "Childhood Circumstances and Adult Outcomes: Act II," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 56(4), pages 1360-1446, December.
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    3. Dieter Helm, 2020. "The Environmental Impacts of the Coronavirus," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 76(1), pages 21-38, May.
    4. Guido Alfani & Marco Percoco, 2019. "Plague and long‐term development: the lasting effects of the 1629–30 epidemic on the Italian cities," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 72(4), pages 1175-1201, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessia Tescione & Francesco Misiti & Simone Digennaro, 2022. "Practicing Outdoor Physical Activity: Is It Really a Good Choice? Short- and Long-Term Health Effects of Exercising in a Polluted Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Ana Catarina T. Silva & Pedro T. B. S. Branco & Sofia I. V. Sousa, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Quality: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-19, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Air quality; Particulate matter; Pandemics; Pollution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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