Air pollution is responsible for 18% of deaths linked to Covid-19 in France

For the first time, a link has been established between Covid-19 and pollution. In an international study, researchers claim that a significant proportion of deaths from the coronavirus are linked to air pollution. According to their estimates, globally, 15% of deaths from Covid-19 are caused by prolonged exposure to air pollution. This proportion varies from country to country. The results of the study were published on October 26, 2020 in the journal Cardiovascular Research.

To reach this conclusion, the researchers used epidemiological data from Chinese and American studies on Covid-19 and air pollution. They also used data from the 2003 SARS outbreak, as well as additional statistics from Italy.

18% of Covid deaths in France due to pollution

These figures were cross-referenced with satellite data showing the distribution of PM2.5 fine particles, atmospheric conditions and ground pollution monitoring networks on the globe. Thus, they were able to create a model capable of calculating the fringe of the population that died due to Covid-19 and long exposure to air pollution.

The results show that air pollution contributed to 27% of Covid-19 deaths in China, 29% in the Czech Republic, 18% in France and the United States, 12% in Brazil but only 4% in Iran and 1% in New Zealand.

However, the researchers qualify these results, because this “attributable fraction does not imply a direct causal relationship between air pollution and Covid-19 mortality (although this is possible). Rather, it refers to relationships between two, direct and indirect, i.e. through the aggravation of comorbidities (other health conditions) that could lead to fatal health outcomes from infection with the virus.”

Effects multiplied by fine particle pollution

The figures put forward are still high, especially in countries where the number of deaths attributed to Covid-19 is high. “As the number of deaths from COVID-19 continues to rise, it is not possible to give exact or definitive figures of deaths from COVID-19 by country that can be attributed to air pollution. airsays Jos Lelieveld, professor of chemistry at the Max Planck Institute (Germany). However, as an example, in the United States, with more than 220,000 deaths from Covid-19 and a fraction of 18%, this gives approximately 40,000 deaths attributable to air pollution.”

Numerous studies have already demonstrated the influence of air pollution with fine particles on health, in particular on lost life expectancy. Because of their microscopic size, these polluting particles seep far into the lungs and bloodstream. Covid-19 would follow the same path, which would explain why this increases the fatal risks according to Thomas Münzel, professor at the Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center (Germany). “If long-term exposure to air pollution and infection with the Covid-19 virus combine, we have an additional negative effect on health, especially on the heart and blood vessels, resulting in a greater high vulnerability and lower resistance to Covid-19. If you already have heart disease, air pollution and coronavirus infection will cause you problems that can lead to heart attacks, heart failure and strokes.”