Air Pollution in Ankara During Covid-19

Abstract

Turkey's capital of Ankara, is located in the center of Turkey's Central Anatolia Region. Due to rapid population growth, improper urbanization and increasing industrialization in Ankara in recent years, air pollution has reached serious levels especially in winter months. According to the research, it has been observed that there is a significant increase in the number of vehicle use in Ankara, which causes a decrease in air quality. It is known that the effects of air pollutants on the environment and human health depend on time, place, duration of action, concentration and other characteristics. While air pollution increases the mortality rate due to heart and lung diseases, it also increases hospital admissions due to these diseases. In this study, the relationship of the covid-19 virus with air pollution in Ankara was divided into three periods (before the Covid-19 measures, during the Covid-19 fight and the Covid-19 struggle is in the decline process). Effect of factors such as a decrease in vehicle use due to curfews on air parameters is being studied. Daily data of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3, CO parameters were analyzed for Bahçelievler, Çankaya, Demetevler, Kayaş, Keçiören, Sincan, Siteler, Sıhhiye stations in Ankara. In the improvement of air quality, entry and exit bans, quarantines imposed in areas where the epidemic was detected, travel restrictions and interruption of education have contributed to a great extent.