People living in areas that have high levels of air pollution are more at risk to die from coronavirus infections, according to a new study released by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
In a study examining over 3,000 counties in the United States, the researchers found that higher levels of the tiny atmospheric particulate matter, known as PM2.5, have strong links to higher death rates from the novel coronavirus.
“The results of this paper suggest that long-term exposure to air pollution increases vulnerability to experiencing the most severe Covid-19 outcomes,” the authors wrote.
An increase of only one unit of PM2.5 would increase the likelihood of the coronavirus death rate by 15 per cent, according to the paper.
It also found that Manhattan, a dense borough in New York City, would have seen around 248 fewer coronavirus deaths by this point in the outbreak if it had lowered its average particulate matter level by just a single unit or one microgram per cubic meter.
These results highlight “the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations to protect human health both during and after” the coronavirus crisis, the authors concluded.
This is the first study to ever provide a statistical look between long term exposure to air pollution and coronavirus death rates and indicates the severe consequences and serious long-term impacts airborne pollution has on the population.
It also offers dire implications for Thailand with its pollution problems, particularly in the country’s north.
Chiang Mai’s air pollution has, for years, been one of the worst in the world. Statistics released by Swiss company IQAir in March revealed the PM2.5 levels in Chiang Mai reaching 380, deemed hazardous, and making it the most polluted city in the world.
Ignored and overlooked for the most part of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the thick, toxic smog covering the northern city has been replaced by wildfire smoke significantly increasing the hazardous levels of the particulate matter.
Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, has also had PM2.5 problems for the past years. The air quality and pollution had forced authorities to temporarily close schools and warn residents to wear masks and stay indoors to protect themselves from the dust.
What’s worse is that this very significant, real problem is often dismissed and ignored by authorities and the general population. Measures to combat the air quality issue in Thailand are lacking, inadequate, and insufficient.
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is known to attack a patient’s immune system and cause respiratory illness with symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and in more severe cases, pneumonia and lung failure. Long-term exposure to the microscopic PM2.5 directly passes into our bloodstream, inflames and damages the lungs, resulting in an array of health problems as well as exacerbating existing conditions.
Thailand’s pollution crisis and these new findings strongly suggest severe health consequences Thailand will likely face if the PM2.5 matter is not immediately tackled by the government and all relevant organizations in the country.
