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

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.