Pollution has been an important vector in the acceleration of the spread of the coronavirus in Italy, reports a study. Fine particles not only play the role of “transporter” for the virus, which calls into question the safety distance of one meter, but they weaken vulnerable people and worsen the symptoms of Covid-19.
–
The speed meteoric to which theepidemic of coronavirus in Italy could be partly explained by pollution, according to a study by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima). Doctors, who collaborated with the universities of Bari and Bologna, compared the new cases of contagion to Covid-19 and exceedances of legal limits for concentrations of fine particles PM10 in the Italian provinces differences recorded between February 10 and 29 – taking into account the incubation time of virus.
Abnormal acceleration of the epidemic in northern Italy
” In the Po Valley, we observe a “abnormal acceleration” expansion of the epidemic corresponding to a high concentration of fine particles two weeks earliersays Leonardo Setti of the University of Bologna to the newspaper La Repubblica. Dust thus acts “highway ” for the virus “
The effect is particularly marked in the provinces where the first companies started homes infection, the researchers note. Brescia, one of the most polluted cities in the country, is therefore one of the cities most affected by the epidemic. Conversely, Rome, where cases of coronavirus were discovered at the same time as in the north of the country, experienced much slower spread of the disease.
Is the safety distance of one meter called into question?
But that’s not all. ” In addition to being a vector of the epidemic, fine particles constitute a substrate which allows the virus to stay in theair under viable conditions for several hours or even days “Say the researchers. This would call into question the precautionary measures introduced by the public authorities. ” The current distance considered safe (one meter) is probably not sufficient “Alessandro Miani, president of Sima, advises in the daily Il Sole 24 Ore.
84% more risk of dying in polluted areas
In addition to their role in the spread of epidemics, pollution is also a weakening factor in health. It increases the risk of stroke, of heart disease, of lung cancer and acute respiratory illnesses. A Inserm study has also shown that a high concentration of fine particles is closely associated with an increased severity of rhinitis. The pollution would also cause a malfunction of the immune system, reports theHandles. In 2003, a study on the SARS epidemic in China already pointed out that patients living in polluted areas were 84% more likely to die than in other regions less exposed to pollution.
The good weather, an aggravating factor of pollution
In order to curb the epidemic, we must ” reduce broadcasts particles minimum and hope for a meteorology favorable “Insists Alessandro Miani. In recent days, a drastic drop in pollution has been observed in Italy due to containment measures and mobility restrictions. This decrease should logically lead to a decrease in the spread, the researchers hope. ” According to the data we have, we expect the number of infected people to stabilize between March 25 and April 15 “, Say the researchers on the site of the Rai.
Not won … In Paris, the implementation of containment did not prevent a deterioration in air quality. Between March 5 and March 18, the particle rate PM10 even tripled in the capital, mainly due to good weather and lack of wind.
Interested in what you just read?
