Air pollution exposure linked to higher COVID-19 cases and deaths – new study.

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The global death toll from COVID-19 has now passed half a million. To slow the spread of the disease, we need to better understand why some places have higher numbers of cases and deaths than others.

One factor that could partially explain this is air pollution. Research has shown that long term exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter (often called PM2.5, as these are particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) can reduce lung function and cause respiratory illness. These pollutants have also been shown to cause a persistent inflammatory response even in the relatively young and to increase the risk of infection by viruses that target the respiratory tract.

theconversation.com/air-pol...

birmingham.ac.uk/news/lates...

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Makes sense, I had put the increased incidence in built up areas to congested living (tower blocks etc) and the increased likelihood of BAME people being resident there. The worry, for areas like my high street, is that this is where the people are now partying, outside the pubs. Now we know the "outside" here is not so good either.