A recent study by Harvard University researchers shows a correlation between long exposure to air pollution and high probability of death from COVID-19. However, it must be noted that pollution levels across the world have reduced significantly due to Coronavirus lockdown. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
Pollution Making COVID Deadlier? Constant exposure to pollution has chronic effects on the human body. Air pollution triggers many diseases such as heart attack, lung, and respiratory diseases, cancer, etc. WHO report states that 7 million premature deaths happen due to air pollution in a year. The particulate matter (PM) present in the air is responsible for deteriorating respiratory illnesses when inhaled. PM is a mixture of organic and chemical particles. Airborne particulates are likely to exacerbate the spread of the disease. Although there are no clear links of Coronaivur spreading through the air, some studies say that reducing air pollution may reduce the spread of coronavirus. A recently published research at Harvard University says that long exposure to air pollution reduces the natural ability to fight against viruses like the SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2. According to it, 80% of deaths in Italy, Spain, France, and Germany happened in regions with high pollution. The study was primarily done by analyzing data of counties of the US. “An increase of 1 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) in PM2.5 is associated with an 8% increase in the COVID-19 death rate,” said the study.
Expert Opinions It is also a matter of concern for India as it is home to 14 polluted cities out of the top 20 polluted cities in the world. Dr. Maria Neira of the WHO warned that countries with high pollution in Latin America, Africa, and Asia should boost their epidemic response, and governments must introduce a new set of policies to tackle this problem.
The results indicate that long-term exposure to this pollutant may be one of the most important contributors to fatality caused by the Covid-19 virus in these regions and maybe across the whole world. Yaron Ogen, Researcher, Martin Luther University Germany
On the other hand, Trump administration recently rolled back Obama-era automobile fuel efficiency standards. Under the new amendment, trump has given relaxation to emit more carbon, which many feel nullifies the key step of former USA governments to tackle the problem of climate change.
Curiopedia
Atmospheric Particulate Matter is one of the three primary forms of Particulate Pollution. The other two are Marine Debris and Space Debris. Particulate pollution is a pollution of an environment that consists of particles suspended in some medium.
In February 2019, the Siberian cities of Prokopyevsk, Kiselyovsk, and Leninsk-Kuznetsky witnessed itself covered in black snow due to excessive pollution because of nearby coal mines. Local News channels quoted, “Three separate cities within the coal-mining region of Kemerovo in southwest Siberia have been blanketed in a thick, black deluge of toxic snow, polluted by ever-present coal dust that pervades the atmosphere – and now the surface, too.” Images of the same on social media were said to give a post-apocalyptic feeling.
An aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas. Aerosols can be natural or anthropogenic (due to humans). Examples of natural aerosols are fog, mist, dust, forest exudates, and geyser steam. Examples of anthropogenic aerosols are particulate air pollutants and smoke. Aerosol stands for “Aero-Solution”.
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