India, Feb. 12 -- The researchers found that the area's socioeconomic development aided the dip in NO2 levels

The concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has reduced in north equatorial Africa despite fossil fuel combustion in the continent nearly doubling since 2000, found a new study.

Air pollution is the leading cause of premature deaths in the region.

Between 2005 and 2017, NO2 pollution dipped 4.5 per cent in the lower atmosphere during the dry season and the study linked this to reduced vegetation fires in the area. The dry season is the time when fires normally combine with urban pollution to make it the worst time of year for air quality.

There is an association between the growing mean GDP density and the reduction in NO2 den...