Another scientific study - in this case Italian - shows that long-term exposure of people to air pollution can increase the risk of coronavirus infection and disease Covid-19. Each average annual increase in atmospheric microparticles by one microgram per cubic meter of air (1 μg / m3) was estimated to be associated with a 5% increase in pollution in one area, equivalent to an additional 294 coronavirus infections per 100.000 inhabitants per year. according to scientists.
The researchers, led by Dr. Giovanni Veronese of the Center for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Research at the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Insubria in Varese, published their findings in the journal Environmental and Occupational 2020-21 for the city of Varese (81.543 inhabitants) in Lombardy in northern Italy, which was severely affected by the pandemic and where there is a problem of air pollution.
The study assessed the mean levels of air pollutants (particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and monoxide of nitrogen and ozone) over time and correlated them with the evolution of coronavirus cases. Pollutants have been found to increase the risk of infection further Covid-19 in persons especially over 55 years.
It is known that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases due to chronic inflammation and weakening of the immune system. In a similar way, it seems that the possibility of being infected with coronavirus increases, if you live for a long time in conditions of polluted air.
The researchers concluded that "governments' efforts to further reduce air pollution levels may also help to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 in public health ".
Source: RES-EAP
