Spatiotemporal distribution of air quality dynamics and health risks study during 2019–2021 lockdown in urban and industrial cities of West Bengal, India

Globally, air pollution is the second most common cause of mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), after tobacco smoking. Breathing polluted air has potential to cause a diverse array of health problems. This study comprehensively investigates the health risk of different areas of the population mainly industrial and urban belt by using AIRQ + health risk assessment model. This study also analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution of air quality in industrial and urban areas and correlation study was conducted between air pollutants and meteorological factors with episodic influences mainly lockdown phases. In Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol and Siliguri, the average Air quality index (AQI) varied from satisfactory (51–100) to moderate (101–200) values. The poor (201−300) to very poor (301−400) air quality observed in January, February, November and December month of the year. The higher AQI observed in the study area in winter season as compared to summer season. In the lockdown period overall air quality was improved. The meteorological factors, including rainfall and temperature played a crucial role in influencing air quality in this area. The regression analysis indicates a significant negative association between temperature and the following pollutants: PM2.5 (β = − 4.91, p < 0.01), PM10 (β = − 8.27, p < 0.01), NO2 (β = − 2.10, p < 0.01), NOx (β = − 4.05, p < 0.01), CO (β = − 0.04, p < 0.01), and SO2 (β = − 0.45, p < 0.01). The number of attributable cases of long-term PM2.5 exposure mortality due to lung cancer, stroke, IHD and COPD in four cities were 1132, 3969, 4381 and 974 in Kolkata; 1454, 4913, 5327 and 1221 in Howrah; 154, 531, 581 and 131 for Asansol; 137, 474, 520 and 117 in Siliguri respectively. IHD is the leading cause for mortality in the study area. The long-term effects of PM10 such as chronic bronchitis in adults and post-neonatal infant mortality were 30,860 and 738,450 in Kolkata, 53,961 and 898,920 in Howrah, 3782 and 89,460 in Asansol, and 3293 and 76,331 in Siliguri respectively. These study findings help policymakers, stakeholders and governments to take early action to reduce the effects of air pollution and implement interventions for the well-being of the population.