COVID-19 pandemic reveals persistent disparities in nitrogen dioxide pollution
Despite the decreases in NO2, pollution during lockdowns, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic NO2 disparities persisted, and marginalized communities continued to face higher levels of NO2 during the lockdowns than non-marginalized communities experienced prior to the pandemic. As passenger vehicles represent an enormous source of urban NO2 emissions, the proximity of marginalized neighborhoods to a high density of major roadways is likely the key determinant in explaining lockdown-related drops in NO2.
