Long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to COVID-19 deaths: Study

A new study published in Cardiovascular Research on October 27 revealed that long term exposure to air pollution has been linked with an increased risk of dying from vel coronavirus. research team includes Professor Jos Lelieveld, of Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany, and Cyprus Institute Nicosia, Cyprus, Professor Thomas Munzel, from University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, and German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Mainz, and Dr Andrea Pozzer, from Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. As a part of study, it was also estimated that 15 per cent of deaths from virus could be credited to long term exposure to air pollution. proportion stands at 19 per cent in Europe, 17 per cent in rth America and 27 per cent in East Asia. 

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Air pollution contributing to COVID-19 deaths 

In CVR paper researchers wrote, “attributable fraction does t imply a direct cause-effect relationship between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality (although it is possible). Instead it refers to relationships between two, direct and indirect, i.e. by aggravating co-morbidities [or health conditions] that could lead to fatal health outcomes of virus infection”. As a part of research, epidemiological data from previous US and Chinese studies of air pollution and COVID-19 and SARS outbreak in 2003 was used. This was combined with satellite data to show global exposure to ‘particulate matter’. refore, result totally relies on epidemiological data collected up to third week in June 2020.

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If we take exact number in various countries, estimate shows 29 per cent of coronavirus deaths in Czech Republic, 27 per cent in China, 26 per cent in Germany, 22 per cent in Switzerland, 21 per cent in Belgium, 19 per cent in Nerlands, 18 per cent in France, 16 per cent in Sweden, 15 per cent in Italy, 14 per cent in UK, 12 per cent in Brazil, 11 per cent in Portugal, 8 per cent in Republic of Ireland, 6 per cent in Israel, 3 per cent in Australia and just 1 per cent in New Zealand. According to reports by ecardio.org, Prof. Jos Lelieveld said that since number of fatalities due to deaths are increasing, it is t possible to give an exact number that could be attributed to air pollution. He furr stated that in UK as re have been 44,000 coronavirus deaths it is estimated that fraction attributable to air pollution is 14 per cent, that is, more than 6,100 deaths could be attributed to air pollution. 

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