Air pollution in China is increasing massively after the end of the coronavirus lockdown, as satellite data have shown.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution has been increasing since the country began to reopen last month.
Emissions data derived from satellite imagery cover a period of about four months, from 12 December 2019 to 28 April. They clearly show that emissions fell massively between 25 January and 23 February.
Together with other nitrogen oxides, NO2 contributes to air pollution.
According to the American Lung Association, the air pollutant can cause a number of health problems, including increased inflammation of the respiratory tract, coughing and wheezing, and reduced lung function.