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On the 15th of last month, pedestrians wearing masks walk through the streets of the borough of Queens in New York, US AP = Yonhap News
Research results show that as air pollution, such as ultra-fine dust (PM2.5) increases, the spread of the new coronavirus (Corona 19) infection is faster and the death rate increases.
In particular, it is noted that environmental standards need to be reviewed as ultrafine dust appears to affect the spread of Corona 19 even at concentrations low enough to meet atmospheric environmental standards.
In an article published in the journal Science of the Total Environment on the 13th by a research team from Washington University in St. Louis, USA, “Populations exposed to air pollution for a long time are more vulnerable to Corona 19 “.
The research team compared and analyzed data on air pollution in the United States from 2000 to 2017 and data on the spread of Corona 19 in the United States from March 2 to April 30.
When 1㎍ / ㎥ of ultrafine powder increases, the reproduction index increases by 0.25
New Yorkers with masks. AP = Yonhap News
Comparison of COVID-19 Basic Infection Reproduction Index (Ro) Distribution and Ultrafine Dust Exposure Concentration (2000-2017 Average) by State in the US Source: University of Washington, USA. USA
The research team first investigated the association between long-term exposure to airborne ultrafine dust and the ‘Basic Infection Reproduction Index (Ro)’, which indicates the rate of spread of Corona 19.
Ro is a number that indicates how many people per infected person spreads the disease on average in an area without infection.
As a result of the analysis, when the long-term exposure concentration of ultrafine dust is less than 6 µg per ㎥ (microgram, 1 µg = 1 in 1 million), Ro increases by 0.25 for every 1 µg / m increase. 3 in the ultrafine dust exposure concentration.
However, when the long-term exposure concentration was 6 µg / m3 or more, the increase in Ro value decreased.
The annual atmospheric environmental standard for ultrafine dust in the United States is 15㎍ / ㎥, and the concentration of ultrafine dust can affect the spread of Corona 19 even in substandard situations.
The environmental standard in Korea is 15㎍ / ㎥, but the pollution level in most regions of the country exceeds 20㎍ / ㎥.
Spreads faster even if the proportion of inorganic substances increases
Students who attended school in the Bronx Autonomous District in New York, USA in September, wear masks. AP = Yonhap News
The correlation between the ultrafine dust concentration (a) and the proportion of sulfur-nitrate-ammonium components in the ultrafine dust (b) and the COVID-19 infection reproduction index (Ro). Source: Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
Furthermore, when the proportion of sulfuric acid-nitrate-ammonium (SNA), which is an inorganic substance among the components of ultrafine powder, increased by 10%, the reproduction index increased by 0.22.
However, there is a possibility that the result of this analysis that air pollution is affecting is simply due to urbanization and population density.
Consequently, the team compared Louisiana and Alabama. Louisiana had a Ro value 20.7% higher than Alabama.
“The difference in population density in these two regions was 1.04%, but the SNA rate was 5% higher in Louisiana,” the research team said. “You can see that there is a correlation between the rate of SNA and Ro.”
The research team noted that “when carbon black (carbon black) is present, the effect of ultrafine dust is more pronounced.”
Furthermore, it was added that adjustments to environmental standards may be necessary, as there may be pollution effects even when the concentration of pollution is below environmental standards.
If it increases 1㎍ / ㎥, the mortality rate increases by 11%
Comparison of ultrafine dust concentration (A) and COVID-19 death rate per 1 million people (B). Source: Harvard University TH Chan Graduate School of Public Health
In a recent article published in Science Advance, a research team from Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health revealed that there is a correlation between long-term exposure to ultrafine dust in every county in the United States and the rate mortality rate of Corona 19.
If the concentration of prolonged exposure to ultrafine dust increased by 1㎍ / ㎥, the death rate per 1 million people increased by 11%.
The research team said: “If chronic exposure to ultrafine dust, the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) of the corona virus 19 receptor, the lung, is overexpressed and host defenses are likely to be compromised, and adverse outcomes include death. The likelihood of bringing it increases. ”
The research team added: “From the correlation with Corona 19, the need for revision of US air quality standards, including ultrafine dust, may arise during the pandemic.”
Reporter Kang Chansu [email protected]
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