OUTDOOR PARTICLE MATTER INVESTIGATION BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Bucharest is one of the most polluted cities in Romania. The causes of high levels of PM10 (particulate matter that describes inhalable particles with diameter that is 10 micrometers and smaller) concentration are road traffic (59% of the car fleet is over 10 years old), construction and lack of green areas. Given the context created by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 is of interest to statistical analyzes performed to observe the evolution of the parameters that characterize the ambient air quality. Results indicate a slightly decrease in PM10 during the state of emergency (March 16-May 13) compared to 2011-2019 and the next period related to of activities related to transport, education, tourism (until December 31). Separate Tables for each pandemic month and comments on wind speed are presented. It is found that the average of the daily values decreasing by more than 35% compared to the average of the 2017-2019.