en سلامت محیط و کار Environmental and Occupational Health پژوهشي Research Article <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Background & Aims</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns imposed unprecedented changes in urban environments, impacting air quality worldwide. This study investigates the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in Urmia City, Iran, between 2018 and 2020. NO₂, a key air pollutant emitted from various sources including motor vehicles and heating systems, poses significant health risks. Through comparative analysis, this study examines NO₂ concentrations during pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, aiming to understand the environmental consequences of lockdown measures.</span> <span style="font-size:9.0pt"></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Materials & Methods</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">:</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> Data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency of West Azerbaijan Province and analyzed using rigorous quality assurance measures reveal intriguing trends in NO₂ levels across different seasons.</span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Results</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">:</span></b> <span style="font-size:9.0pt">Despite expectations of reduced emissions during lockdowns, findings suggest complex dynamics influencing air pollution levels, with notable increases observed during certain periods of stringent restrictions. Further research is recommended to explore discrepancies in air quality trends and develop sustainable environmental management strategies for future challenges.</span> <b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"></span></b></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:16.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt">Conclusion</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt">This study contributes valuable insights into the environmental impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to safeguard public health and the environment</span><span dir="RTL" lang="FA" style="font-size:9.0pt">.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> However, another source of NO₂ emissions needed to be controlled.</span></span></span></span> COVID-19 lockdowns, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Urban environment, Urmia City 216 225 http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-137-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Saeed Hosseinpoor 10031947532846002736 10031947532846002736 No Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Leila Ebrahimi Gangchin 10031947532846002737 10031947532846002737 No Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Zahra Mirzazadeh 10031947532846002738 10031947532846002738 No Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Aven Nuraldin Chaman 10031947532846002739 10031947532846002739 No Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Amir Mohammadi 10031947532846002740 10031947532846002740 Yes Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran