COVID-19 pandemic in Uttarakhand, India: Environmental recovery or degradation?

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2021-12, Vol.9 (6), p.106595-106595, Article 106595
• Main Authors: Nandan, Abhishek, Siddiqui, N.A., Singh, Chandrakant, Aeri, Ashish, Gwenzi, Willis, Ighalo, Joshua O., de Carvalho Nagliate, Patrícia, Meili, Lucas, Singh, Pardeep, Chaukura, Nhamo, Rangabhashiyam, Selvasembian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air quality; Coronavirus; Ergonomics; Human health; Water quality
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-2929; 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106595

The human coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is now a global pandemic. Personal hygiene such as hand-washing, the use of personal protective equipment, and social distancing via local and national lockdowns are used to reduce the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns may have significant impacts on environmental quality and ergonomics. However, limited studies exists on the impacts of COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns on environmental quality and ergonomics in low-income settings. Therefore, the present study investigated the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on socioeconomics, ergonomics and environment (water quality, air quality and noise) in Uttarakhand, India. Approximately 55% of respondents experienced headaches, and the other common health-related issue was back pain, with 45% of respondents having problems with their backs. Water and air quality significantly improved during the lockdown relative to the pre-lockdown period, but was observed to return to their previous characteristics afterwards. Lockdowns significant increased the concentration of indoor air pollutants while noise pollution levels significantly declined. In summary, lockdowns have adverse impacts on ergonomics, resulting in work-related human health risks. The impacts of lockdowns on environmental quality are mixed: temporary improvements on water and air quality, and noise reduction were observed, but indoor air quality deteriorated. Therefore, during lockdowns there is a need to minimize the adverse environmental and ergonomic impacts of lockdowns while simultaneously enhancing the beneficial impacts. [Display omitted] •Lockdowns increases the concentration of indoor air pollutants.•Significant reduction in noise pollution levels was observed during lockdowns.•About 33.5% of respondents were unaware of the health hazards of COVID-19.•Long working hours over 10 h without ideal workstations causes multiple ergonomic related illness.