COVID-19 was not taken seriously by many of us until the wave hit our countries and impacted daily life routines and travel plans, similar to our responses to climate change. COVID-19 led to a decrease of anthropogenic activities in Turkey, largely due to lockdown. Changes in the air quality index (AQI) were assessed before and during coronavirus. In this study, the authors investigated the changes of AQI for 2.5 µm particulate matter (PM2.5), a primary air pollutant, as well as ozone, a secondary air pollutant, in Turkey during December 2019, April 2020, and May 2020. Overall, the PM2.5 index improved by 34.5% by the end of April 2020. However, the ozone index increased from 16.8 to 28.8 by the end of April. The increase in ozone is attributed to the reduction of PM levels, which increased sunlight penetration. Before COVID-19, the AQI for Turkey was categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups (PM2.5 = 103); however, during the pandemic, AQI fell to lower boundaries of the moderate category by May 2020 (PM2.5 = 56.9). Changes in municipal wastewater were also assessed. Municipal wastewater quality and hospital waste generation did not change during the pandemic in Turkey. Therefore, we should not expect COVID-19 risks in treatment plant effluents. This study gives confidence to regulators that when strict measures are implemented, air quality can improve.

中文翻译：

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从土耳其的角度看冠状病毒 (COVID-19) 对环境的影响

直到浪潮袭击我们的国家并影响日常生活和旅行计划（类似于我们对气候变化的反应），我们中的许多人都没有认真对待 COVID-19。COVID-19 导致土耳其的人为活动减少，主要是由于封锁。在冠状病毒之前和期间评估了空气质量指数 (AQI) 的变化。在这项研究中，作者调查了 2019 年 12 月、2020 年 4 月和 2020 年 5 月期间土耳其的主要空气污染物 2.5 µm 颗粒物 (PM2.5) 和二次空气污染物臭氧的 AQI 变化。总体而言，截至 2020 年 4 月底，PM2.5 指数提高了 34.5%。然而，臭氧指数从 16.8 上升到 4 月底的 28.8。臭氧的增加归因于 PM 水平的降低，这增加了阳光的穿透。在 COVID-19 之前，土耳其的 AQI 被归类为敏感群体不健康（PM2.5 = 103）；然而，在大流行期间，到 2020 年 5 月，AQI 降至中等类别的下限（PM2.5 = 56.9）。还评估了城市废水的变化。在土耳其大流行期间，市政废水质量和医院废物产生没有改变。因此，我们不应期望处理厂流出物中存在 COVID-19 风险。这项研究使监管机构相信，当实施严格的措施时，空气质量可以得到改善。在土耳其大流行期间，市政废水质量和医院废物产生没有改变。因此，我们不应期望处理厂流出物中存在 COVID-19 风险。这项研究使监管机构相信，当实施严格的措施时，空气质量可以得到改善。在土耳其大流行期间，市政废水质量和医院废物产生没有改变。因此，我们不应期望处理厂流出物中存在 COVID-19 风险。这项研究使监管机构相信，当实施严格的措施时，空气质量可以得到改善。