Association between short-term exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 hospital admission/mortality during warm seasons

Abstract

COVID-19 is a new viral infection that is usually accompanied by respiratory complications. Air pollution has been linked to cardiorespiratory-related diseases and even premature mortality. The short-term exposure to air pollution may aggravate pulmonary symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The relationship between the short-term exposure to air pollution and hospital admission and mortality resulting from COVID-19 will be examined in Tehran, Iran, during the spring and summer of 2020. The statistics of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and 8-h maximum ozone (O 3 ) concentrations, meteorological conditions, and COVID-19 hospital admissions/mortality were analyzed. The cross-correlation and temporal relationship between the daily concentration of the aforementioned pollutants (as well as the meteorological conditions) and the COVID-19 hospital admissions/mortality rate was calculated for each month. The concentration of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and 8-h maximum O 3 , along with temperature, increased in the summer. The hospital admissions and mortality associated with COVID-19 decreased from the first peak in the spring and then increased to its second peak in the summer. The short-term exposure to ambient PM 2.5 , PM 10 , O 3 , and elevated temperatures is associated with higher rates of COVID-19-related hospital admissions/mortality throughout the summer. Among these variables, the correlation with O 3 was statistically significant in more summer months. The short-term exposure to air pollution (especially O 3 ) may increase the susceptibility of the population infected with COVID-19 and, therefore, increases the rate of hospital admissions and mortality even during the warm seasons.

Exposure to air pollution and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in São José dos Campos, Brazil

“…Unlike other studies, such as those of Fattorini and Regoli ( 12 ) and Khorsandi et al ( 24 ), which found an association between exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 and high temperatures, hospital admissions, and COVID-19 death rate, our study did not show this association with COVID-19 patient hospitalization.…”

Positive association between outdoor air pollution and the incidence and severity of COVID-19. A review of the recent scientific evidences

“…In general, CO had the most significant effect on the density of confirmed cases, whereas unexpectedly, SO 2 showed a decreasing effect on that density. In a subsequent study, which was conducted in Tehran during the spring and summer of 2020, Khorsandi et al (2021) examined the temporal cross-correlation between daily exposure to PM 2.5 , PM 10 and O 3 , meteorological conditions, and the hospital admission/mortality rate associated with COVID-19. It was found that short-term exposure to PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and O 3 (and also elevated temperatures) was significantly associated with COVID-19-related hospital admissions and mortality during the summer.…”

Air pollution might affect the clinical course of COVID-19 in pediatric patients

“…The research was focused on two major air pollutants, PM 2.5 and B(a)P, in regions such as Poland, where coal and wood combustion plays a significant role in domestic heating ( Anioł et al, 2021 , Nazar and Niedoszytko, 2022 ). However, studies show that other air pollutants, i.e., nitrogen oxides and ozone, may also affect the COVID-19 severity and mortality ( Mele et al, 2021 , Khorsandi et al, 2021 , Achebak et al, 2021 ). One should also note that the present investigation did not include the potential differences in socioeconomic factors, health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and presence of comorbidities (e.g., chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, immune deficiencies, seizure disorders, obesity,) that may affect the susceptibility of children to COVID-19 ( Choi et al, 2022 , Størdal et al, 2022 ).…”