(ORDO NEWS) — Air pollution is associated with a more severe course of COVID-19, an international team of scientists with the participation of specialists from the University of Toronto found out. They talked about this in an article in CMAJ magazine.
The researchers analyzed information about all residents of Ontario who recovered from COVID-19 – more than 151 thousand people.
By studying the distribution of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3) in the air, the researchers found that patients’ condition worsened at higher concentrations.
“We observed that people with COVID-19 living in areas of Ontario with higher levels of common air pollutants (PM 2.5, NO2, and O3) had an increased risk of being admitted to an intensive care unit, even if air pollution levels were relatively low. “, the authors of the work said.
In addition, chronic O3 exposure was associated with an increased risk of death from COVID-19.
The results confirm the information collected earlier in other countries, scientists say. However, the specific mechanisms through which contaminants can influence the course of the disease remain to be explored.
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