Air pollution: a key contributor to Covid-19 deaths

Air pollution may be a key contributor to COVID-19 deaths. A new study showed that almost 80% of deaths across 4 countries were in the most polluted regions. The study shows that 78% of the coronavirus deaths occurred in juts 5 regions out od 66 administrative regions in Italy, Spain, France and Germany. These 5 regions were the most polluted. 

The study compared NO₂ levels in January and February in these regions with COVID-19 deaths recorded up to 19 March. The researchers assessed the atmospheric conditions to see where pollution was being trapped over the regions. The study found that 78% of the 4,443 deaths were in 4 regions in northern Italy and one around Madrid in Spain. These 5 regions had the worst combination of NO₂ levels and airflow conditions that prevented the dispersal of airpollution away from the city. These regions were surrounded by mountains, which helps trap pollution. This is also the case in the Chinese Hubei province where the pandemic began.

The researchers examined levels of nitrogen dioxide and weather conditions that can prevent dirty air from dispersing away from a city. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced mlstly by diesel vehicles. Mny scientists have linked NO₂ exposure to lung disease and other health tissues which could lead to more deaths due to COVID-19. The results show that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide may be one of the most important contributors to COVID-19 fatalities in these regions. The researchers said that poisoning our environment means poisoning our own body when our body experiences chroic respiratory stress its ability to defend itself from infections is reduced. 

The researchers said the analysis shows a strong correlation but no causal link. It is important to explore the relationship between existing inflammatory condition and the immune responses to the coronavirus. Another team studied the role of fine particle pollution in the US. The team found that small increases in pollution levels in the year before the pandemic were associated with higher COVID-19 death rates.