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Air pollution may be ‘key contributor’ to Covid-19 deaths – study

Damian Carrington Environment editor

High levels of air pollution may be “one of the most important contributors” to deaths from Covid-19, according to research.

The analysis shows that 78% of the coronavirus deaths occurred..

 in just five out of 66 administrative regions..

 studied in Italy, Spain, France and Germany, 

and that these five regions were the most polluted.

The research examined nitrogen dioxide levels..

 a pollutant produced mostly by diesel vehicles..

 and weather conditions that can prevent dirty air..

 from dispersing away from a city. 

 Many studies have linked NO₂ exposure to health damage..

and particularly lung disease..

which could make people more likely to die..

if they contract Covid-19.

A separate study published on 7 April looked at fine particle pollution in the US and found that even small increases in levels in the years before the pandemic were associated with far higher Covid-19 death rates. Another recent paper noted that the high death rates seen in the north of Italy correlated with the highest levels of air pollution.

The new research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, compared NO₂ levels in January and February in 66 administrative regions with Covid-19 deaths recorded up to 19 March. Ogen also assessed the atmospheric conditions to see where pollution was being trapped over the regions.

He found that 78% of the 4,443 deaths were in four regions..

 in northern Italy and one around Madrid in Spain. 

 These five regions had the worst combination of NO₂ levels..

 and airflow conditions..

 that prevented dispersal of air pollution.