Open AccessAir pollution and COVID-19: Is the connect worth its weight?
Author(s) -
Arun Kumar Sharma,
Palak Balyan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
indian journal of public health/indian journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 2229-7693
pISSN - 0019-557X
DOI - 10.4103/ijph.ijph_466_20
Subject(s) - particulates , airborne transmission , transmission (telecommunications) , air pollution , covid-19 , environmental health , pollution , air pollutants , environmental science , medicine , virology , biology , telecommunications , disease , ecology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , outbreak , computer science
Primary route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among humans is droplets and direct contact. Airborne transmission of this virus is not established conclusively and so is the role of airborne particulate matter. This commentary examines the existing evidence about the role of particulate matter pollutants in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. PM 2.5 and other small particulate matter have been shown to carry viable virus particles in the air and incriminated in spread of measles and SARS coronavirus. Empirical evidence has been provided regarding role of air pollution in accelerated transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy as well as Wuhan. Lockdown-related reduction in PM 2.5 levels in ambient air may have contributed to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. High PM 2.5 levels in the past might have added to SARS-CoV-2 related mortality due to air pollution relate comorbidities. Post-lockdown increase in PM 2.5 levels may accelerate covid-19 transmission and can add to the burden of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.