Los Angeles, one of the biggest cities in the United States, has one of the cleanest air in the world at the moment, thanks to COVID- 19. California’s biggest city used to have the thickest air pollution hanging over its downtown buildings. But today, with the orders of staying at home due to the coronavirus, something strange has happened to the air in LA.

COVID-19 helps with air pollution

On Wednesday, LA saw some of the cleanest air quality in the world and its healing everyday. According to IQAir, a Swiss air class technology company which also monitors pollution levels in cities around the globe. The city hasn’t seen this quality in the air in LA since 1995.

Also, in early March of this year, EPA air quality data showed that the city of angels experienced its longest stretch of good air quality. Something that many people never experienced here in Los Angeles for a long time. With less traffic and less people outside, everyday the air quality is improving by 15 to 20 percent in Southern California.

Furthermore, a team found a 40% drop in levels of PM 2.5. A class of microscopic air pollutants that have been linked to serious cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Children and elderly people are the most affected ones that die from poor air every year.

Because Los Angeles is the second most populated city with 4.0 million people, there is usually a lot of traffic going on daily. Traffic in LA is the reason why PM 2.5 levels are high in Southern California. Since the stay-at-home order went into effect, the team has found that traffic across the state has fallen by around 80%. A massive drop in one of the most traffic choked states in the country.

Sadly, the reduced pollution is probably temporary. As California has 18,309 confirmed cases with the corona virus, lock down resumes. Once the pandemic is over, air quality is likely to decrease again.