Irish Examiner view: Saving lives is not just about Covid

More than 800 lives may have been saved across Europe due to better air quality in the first phase of lockdowns

Fewer cars on the roads during lockdowns led to improved air quality. Picture: Larry Cummins

One of the remarkable effects of lockdown in the early stages of the pandemic was that we could see how industry, and transport in particular, affect air quality. The pandemic has offered unique conditions to investigate the potential effects of strict policies to reduce pollution levels in urban areas.

New research suggests that more than 800 lives may have been saved across Europe due to better air quality in the first phase of Covid-19 lockdowns.