A recent study by scientists in Belgium and Denmark found that air pollution can make COVID-19 patients age 10 years faster and increase their chances of being admitted to the intensive care unit by 36%. Doctors in Denmark also found that air pollution increases the risk of dying from COVID-19 by 23%.
Air pollution is a major risk factor for worsening respiratory diseases like COVID-19. It increases inflammation in the lungs and weakens immune defenses and exacerbates chronic lung disease. New research has shown that reducing air pollution is an important measure to reduce morbidity and mortality during future outbreaks of respiratory disease, including the annual flu season.
Research
Belgian scientists studied the effects of dirty air on people who ended up in hospitals because they contracted a coronavirus infection. Observations showed that exhaling atmospheric pollutants made the course of the disease more severe and recovery from it longer. According to the study, patients with COVID-19 who were previously exposed to dirty air endured the illness as if they were 10 years older than their present age. On average, they were discharged from hospitals four days later than their peers living in environmentally friendly areas.
Belgian experts found that dirty air increased the chances of people with coronavirus ending up in the ICU by 36%. In Denmark, doctors found that air pollution increased the risk of dying from COVID-19 by 23%.
The difference in air purity used in the studies to estimate exposure to Covid-19 was based on the range of reported pollution levels.
Effects of air pollution on COVID-19 disease
Air pollution is one of the factors that makes COVID-19 more severe and accelerates the aging of patients. Studies have shown that dirty air increases the chances of being admitted to the ICU by 36% and increases the risk of death from COVID-19 by 23%.
Other factors that may exacerbate the course of COVID-19 include:
– High age.
– Obesity
– Diabetes mellitus
– Smoking
Health effects of air pollution
Air pollution is a major risk factor for worsening respiratory disease. It increases inflammation in the lungs and weakens immune defenses and exacerbates chronic lung disease. Air pollution can also lead to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.
Reducing air pollution
New research has shown that reducing air pollution is an important measure to reduce morbidity and mortality during future outbreaks of respiratory disease, including the annual flu season. Doctors have concluded that cleaner air has health benefits comparable to some of the medical procedures prescribed for patients with coronavirus infection. For example, low levels of air pollution had about the same effect on patients as treatment with COVID-19 antiviral drugs.
Experts also emphasize that reducing air pollution can lead to economic benefits, such as reduced costs for treating respiratory illnesses and increased labor productivity.
Conclusion
Air pollution is a serious problem that exacerbates the course of COVID-19 and exacerbates other diseases. New research has shown that reducing air pollution is an important measure to reduce morbidity and mortality during future respiratory disease outbreaks. Doctors are urging governments and the public to take steps to improve air quality, such as using clean energy sources and reducing pollutant emissions.
