Exposure to Covid-19 has been linked to a higher likelihood of dying of Covid-19, according to a study conducted by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
This is the first published study to examine the relationship between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter pollution, which can be attributed to fuel combustion from cars, refineries, and power plants, and the risk of death from Covid-19.
The study found that someone who has lived long-term in an area with high levels of particulate pollution is eight per cent more likely to die from Covid-19 than someone who resides in a region with just one unit (microgram per cubic meter) less of pollution.
The reason for this association between long-term exposure to air pollutants and worse outcomes for Covid-19 is not fully understood yet, although it has been suggested the immune system maybe impaired, leading to increased susceptibility to viruses and severe viral infections.
Moreover, researchers highlighted that ethnic and racially diverse communities are more likely to be closer to industrial pollution such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, and work in occupations that increase their exposure to air pollution.
Francesca Dominici, Clarence James Gamble Professor of Biostatistics, Population, and Data Science at Harvard Chan School, highlighted that the study shows areas with higher pollution levels ‘will be the ones that have higher numbers of hospitalisations, higher numbers of deaths and where many of the resources should be concentrated.’
These findings further align with known connections between PM2.5 exposure and higher risk of death form other cardiovascular and respiratory ailments.
