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A study found that people who live in an area with a high percentage of air pollution are more likely to die after contracting the coronavirus.
The findings, published by researchers at Harvard University, have implications for public health protocols around the world.
The study focused on small particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, a hazardous pollutant emitted from various sources, including vehicle exhaust fumes.
Researchers have found that a slight increase of just one microgram per cubic meter increases the risk of death by 11% after infection with SARS-CoV-2, which causes “Covid-19”.
The research team collected data on “Covid-19” cases and deaths at Johns Hopkins University.
Air pollution data was collected in the United States through a combination of atmospheric surveys and computer models. The collection took place until June 18, 2020 and came from 3,089 counties, representing 98% of the US population.
Data from the study shows that PM2.5 levels across the United States vary widely, with some areas having almost no hot spots, and mainly around large cities, recording levels above 12 μg / m3. .
The study collected only US data, but the effects are widespread, as air pollution around the world has crossed safe limits.
Researchers identified heavy pollution with PM2.5 levels of over 13 micrograms per cubic meter of air, above the US average of 8.4.
However, the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 10 μg / m3 as an annual average.
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Dr Mark Miller of the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study, comments: “The air pollution levels in this study were rather modest. Although this study is being conducted in the United States, there is no reason to believe that a similar situation will not occur in the United Kingdom. Or anywhere else in the world. “
The study’s authors previously posted their preliminary results in April on medRxiv, before peer-reviewing it.
At that time, researchers found an 8% increase in the death rate from Covid-19 after a 1 mcg / m3 increase in PM2.5.
Now, the work has expanded to include more data, and the increase to 11% is documented in a peer-reviewed study in the journal Science Advances.
“If we take two geographic regions that look very similar, but one of them is exposed to a higher level of air pollution, and even a slightly higher level of air pollution than the other region, the the most polluted would see the level of Higher than the death toll from “Covid-19”.
It seems that the study cannot explain why air pollution is associated with an increased risk of death after infection with the coronavirus.
However, PM2.5 is known to cause damage when it enters the upper respiratory tract, causing chaos in the nose, throat, and lungs.
“It has been hypothesized that chronic exposure to PM2.5 causes overexpression of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE-2) and alters the host’s defenses. This could cause a more severe form of “Covid-19” in the lungs which depletes the converting enzyme. Angiotensin II, which increases the potential for side effects, including death. “
Overall, these findings highlight a link that urgently requires further study to understand whether these increased risks are a direct result of air pollution, and if so, how.
Source: Daily Mail
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