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December 18, 2024
New research sheds light on the environmental factors contributing to the spread and severity of Covid-19, highlighting the role of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in exacerbating the pandemic’s impact. While the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily attributed to its high transmissibility, studies now suggest a significant link between air pollution and the disease’s incidence and mortality rates.
A study conducted by researchers at the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan found evidence that PM2.5—a harmful air pollutant—may influence both the transmission and severity of Covid-19. Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study demonstrated that PM2.5 exposure increases the abundance of ACE2, a key receptor used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect cells, thereby enhancing susceptibility to the virus.
Using mice models, the research revealed that PM2.5 instillation not only upregulated ACE2 expression but also worsened SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infections. “Our current results provide the first in vitro and in vivo evidence that PM2.5 exposure increased ACE2 expression and deteriorated SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the researchers stated. The findings suggest that PM2.5 triggers dysregulation of proteins in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including ACE and ACE2, leading to heightened vulnerability and increased disease severity.
These results add to a growing body of evidence connecting air pollution with Covid-19 outcomes. Earlier studies had already hinted that PM2.5 might serve as an environmental carrier for the virus, facilitating its spread.
Long-Term Effects and Long Covid
The impact of air pollution on Covid-19 does not end with acute infections. A separate study published in Environmental Health Perspectives by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) linked air pollution to prolonged symptoms of long Covid. Researchers found that exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 could worsen the severity of the initial infection, which in turn raises the likelihood of persistent symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive issues.
While air pollution itself is not a direct cause of long Covid, the ISGlobal study noted that it amplifies the severity of the initial infection, which increases the risk of developing long-term complications.
Implications for Public Health
These findings underscore the urgent need to address air pollution as part of global health strategies. “Reducing PM2.5 levels could not only mitigate the spread of infectious diseases like Covid-19 but also alleviate the burden of long-term complications associated with these infections,” said one of the researchers from ISGlobal.
With air pollution already recognized as a major contributor to various health issues, its role in the Covid-19 pandemic highlights an intersection of environmental and public health challenges that require immediate attention from policymakers worldwide.
