An Epidemiological Study to Investigate Links between Atmospheric Pollution from Farming and SARS-CoV-2 Mortality

Abstract

Exposure to atmospheric particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death. We hypothesized that long-term exposure to farming-related air pollutants might predispose to an increased risk of COVID-19-related death. To test this hypothesis, we performed an ecological study of five Italian Regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Sicily), linking all-cause mortality by province (administrative entities within regions) to data on atmospheric concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ammonia (NH3), which are mainly produced by agricultural activities. The study outcome was change in all-cause mortality during March–April 2020 compared with March–April 2015–2019 (period). We estimated all-cause mortality rate ratios (MRRs) by multivariate negative binomial regression models adjusting for air temperature, humidity, international import-export, gross domestic product and population density. We documented a 6.9% excess in MRR (proxy for COVID-19 mortality) for each tonne/km2 increase in NH3 emissions, explained by the interaction of the period variable with NH3 exposure, considering all pollutants together. Despite the limitations of the ecological design of the study, following the precautionary principle, we recommend the implementation of public health measures to limit environmental NH3 exposure, particularly while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Future studies are needed to investigate any causal link between COVID-19 and farming-related pollution.

Covid-19 Occupational Risk Incidence and Working Sectors Involved During the Pandemic in Italy

“…Occupational SARS-CoV-2 infection risk analyses during the first pandemic wave in Germany and UK confirmed the higher infection risks among workers in essential occupations and personal-related services, with specific reference to the healthcare sector [ 21 , 22 ]. In the agriculture sector, “Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities” had high MIRw values witnessing an increased risk of developing Covid-19 probably associated with animal farming industries [ 37 ]. Relevant incidence values in “Manufacture of food products sector” could be associated also to the outbreaks in meat and poultry plants that happened in Italy, as in other countries [ 38 ].…”

Studies on Air Pollution and Air Quality in Rural and Agricultural Environments: A Systematic Review

“…In fact, rural emissions are considered one of the major contributors to atmospheric pollution worldwide which, as well known, can cause severe adverse effects on human health and on the environment [2]. Agricultural activities (i.e., plowing, harrowing, cultivating, sowing, harvesting, threshing, and grain handling) are related to the emission of airborne pollutants [3], especially of particulate matter (PM) and ammonia (NH 3 ) (often used as a proxy for all the pollutants produced by intensive agricultural activities) [4]. Moreover, agricultural burning, deemed as a cost-effective system of cleaning and preparing the field for the succeeding growth season [5], emits different airborne pollutants, including PM, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

Monitoring of air pollution in agricultural settings: a systematic review of the literature

“…In fact, rural emissions are considered one of the major contributors to atmospheric pollution worldwide which, as well known, can cause severe adverse effects on the human health and on the environment (Abdurrahman et al 2020). Agricultural activities (i.e., plowing, harrowing, cultivating, sowing, harvesting, threshing, and grain handling) are related to the emission of airborne pollutants (Lee et al 2007), especially of particulate matter (PM) and ammonia (NH 3 ) (often used as a proxy for all the pollutants produced by intensive agricultural activities) (Contiero et al 2022). Moreover, agricultural burning, deemed as a cost-effective system of cleaning and preparing the eld for the succeeding growth season (Mazzola et al 1997), emits different airborne pollutants, including PM, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Wu et al 2006), as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs).…”