Are you wondering why certain cities with high air pollution are linked with higher COVID-19 mortality rate? If yes, then count your lucky stars, because we’ve got the answer to all your queries! To this day the world has witnessed over half a million deaths due to the deadly COVID-19. The staggering mortality rate indicates that people in certain places of the world are more susceptible to the infection than others. Want to know why?
Well one of the reasons behind this high death rate is air pollution. Air contaminated with contaminants such as Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter up to the size of 2.5 micrometers. These contaminants can cause severe respiratory illnesses and degrade your lung function. Furthermore, in young individuals, these pollutants can cause an acute inflammatory response. These conditions render certain individuals more prone to viruses which target the respiratory system.
Nitric oxide is a contaminant released in air due to burning of fuels. A research analyzed the COVID-19 fatality rate in France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. The results state that out of 4443 fatalities, 78% were in the regions with high levels of Nitrogen dioxide in the air.
A COVID-19 Study in Netherlands:
IZA researchers claim that certain rural areas in the Netherlands are more polluted than the urban areas due to livestock farming. This practice is linked to several respiratory diseases. A research study was carried out in 355 Dutch municipality areas and the results will shock you!
According to the results, the rural areas are more susceptible to COVID-19 than in the urban areas. COVID-19 is especially prevalent in rural municipalities where the population is less. The Southeast provinces of the Netherlands, house approx 63% of the total pigs and 42% of the total chickens in the country. Due to livestock farming, a large amount of ammonia is released in the air leading to pollution.
The research claims that up to 1 micrograms increase in the particulate matter in air, can lead to an increase of 15 COVID-19 cases, four hospital admissions and three deaths.
Is India At a Risk Too?
The Indian subcontinent witnessed not just outdoor air pollution, but indoor too. In fact, according to WHO statistics, 98% of Indian children are exposed to pollutants. The rising number of COVID-19 cases in states like Delhi and Maharashtra can definitely be linked to air pollution. However, further research is needed to confirm this analysis.