Correlation between COVID-19 and air pollution: the effects of PM2.5 and PM10 on COVID-19 outcomes

E. Kalluçi, E. Noka, K. Bani, X. Dhamo, I. Alimehmeti, K. Dhuli, G. Madeo, C. Micheletti, G. Bonetti, C. Zuccato, E. Borghetti, G. Marceddu, M. Bertelli

Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania. gabriele.bonetti@assomagi.org

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• Infectious Diseases
• Respiratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: Given its effects on long-term illnesses, like heart problems and diabetes, air pollution may be among the reasons that led COVID-19 to get worse and kill a larger number of people. Experiments have shown that breathing in polluted air weakens the immune system, making it easier for viruses to enter the body and grow. Viruses may be able to survive in the air by interacting in complex ways with particles and gases. These interactions depend on the air’s chemical makeup, the particles’ electric charges, and environmental conditions like humidity, UV light, and temperature. Moreover, exposure to UV rays and air pollution may reduce the organism’s production of antimicrobial molecules, thus supporting viral infections. More epidemiological studies are needed to determine what effects air pollution has on COVID-19. In this review, we will discuss how air pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 contribute to the transmission of COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have used nine target cities in the Tuscany region to verify this certainty, and in all these cases, the air pollution factors were found to be strongly correlated with COVID-19 cases. For each city, we applied a multivariate analysis and found an appropriate model that better fits the data.

RESULTS: This review underlines that both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution may be crucial exasperating factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission and COVID-19 severity and lethality. The statistical analysis concludes that air pollution should be accounted for as a possible risk factor in future COVID-19 investigations, and it should be avoided as much as possible by the general population.

CONCLUSIONS: Our research highlighted the correlation between COVID-19 and air pollution. Reducing air pollution exposure should be one of the first measures against COVID-19 spread.

This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Retraction note in: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2024; 28 (11): 3699-3699.

Published on: 2023/12/18

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