Abstract
Sars-Cov-2 virus (COVID-19) is a member of the coronavirus family and is responsible for the pandemic recently declared by the World Health Organization. A positive correlation has been observed between the spread of the virus and air pollution, one of the greatest challenges of our millennium. COVID-19 could have an air transmission and atmospheric particulate matter (PM) could create a suitable environment for transporting the virus at greater distances than those considered for close contact. Moreover, PM induces inflammation in lung cells and exposure to PM could increase the susceptibility and severity of the COVID-19 patient symptoms. The new coronavirus has been shown to trigger an inflammatory storm that would be sustained in the case of pre-exposure to polluting agents. In this review, we highlight the potential role of PM in the spread of COVID-19, focusing on Italian cities whose PM daily concentrations were found to be higher than the annual average allowed during the months preceding the epidemic. Furthermore, we analyze the positive correlation between the virus spread, PM, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor involved in the entry of the virus into pulmonary cells and inflammation.
Highlights
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus pandemic: the Sars-Cov-2 virus (COVID-19) is a threat to the population’s health
This study shows a correlation between short- and medium-term PM10 exposures and increased risk of hospitalization owing to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis among infants [36]
The conclusive data of these papers indicate that long-term air-quality significantly correlated with the cases of COVID-19 in up to 71 Italian provinces, providing further evidence that long-term exposure to air pollution may represent a favorable context for the spread of the virus
Summary
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus pandemic: the Sars-Cov-2 virus (COVID-19) is a threat to the population’s health. It is crucial to define which role the atmospheric particulate plays in the spread, morbidity, and mortality of the virus In this context, two hypotheses should be highlighted. The virus binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to enter the cell; ACE2 generates an anti-inflammatory peptide and is overexpressed to play its role in the case of inflammation from PM exposure, increasing the probability of COVID-19 entering the cells [2]. Public Health 2020, 17, 4487 are not mutually exclusive, are an important starting point for future analyses aimed at explaining the positive correlation between the spread of COVID-19 and air pollution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
