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In a preliminary study, scientists in Italy detected the coronavirus in air pollution particles.
It is still unclear whether the virus is viable or can cause infections when contaminated, according to The Guardian, which published the findings on Friday.
The study has not yet been peer-reviewed, but previous and expert studies suggest that the premise may be valid and should be further investigated.
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If true, the virus could travel further by air than previously assumed. It could also explain the high infection rate in heavily polluted northern Italy.
Italy has been hit hard by the pandemic, especially its northern region. The country has confirmed more than 192,000 infections and almost 26,000 deaths.
The research was led by Leonardo Setti of the University of Bologna in Italy. The research team detected a different COVID-19 gene in air pollution samples taken from an urban site and an industrial site, in the province of Bergamo, near Milan.
The finding was supported by a test procedure in a separate and independent laboratory.
Other research has shown that air pollution can carry microbes, and that airborne pollution particles likely carry other viruses, including those that cause bird flu, measles, and FMD, The Guardian reported.
Coronavirus circulates through airborne droplets spread by coughing or sneezing, and enters the body through the mouth, eyes, or nose. It can remain viable on surfaces for hours or days and can enter the lungs directly when inhaled.
Larger droplets carrying the virus land within two meters of the carrier, but smaller droplets can stay in the air longer and move farther. It is not clear if the smallest drops can cause infections.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 2.7 million and killed more than 195,000 as of Friday night.
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