In the voivodeships where the air is more polluted, there are more coronavirus infections – results from preliminary research conducted by prof. Piotr Kleckowski from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow.
‘In the current phase of the pandemic in Poland, it is clear that there is a link between the average level of air pollution and the number of COVID-19 infections. Less correlation can be seen between air quality and deaths due to COVID-19, although there are fewer deaths where air quality is better’ – said professor Piotr Kleckowski of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow.
As he stressed, his studies are only preliminary. The research shows possible correlations and still needs further work.
Recalling the results of international work, he pointed out that the virus could be transmitted through the dust.
‘More than a thousand different micro-organisms and also SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been found on poultry of dust, but there has not been 100% evidence yet that this way might be the infectious one,’ he added.
After the first wave of the pandemic, the professor carried out a more thorough study, which also showed the above relationship, and showed the link between the number of infections and wealth in different voivodeships.
‘Mostly on the world and Poland, there is such correlation that low wealth is associated with a higher incidence of the disease. It was the opposite situation in Poland,’ said Professor Kleckowski.
According to his analysis, there were more COVID-19 cases in the voivodeships where residents earn higher incomes. This may be due, as the scientist is supposed to admit, to greater mobility, especially more frequent trips abroad of wealthy people.
The US studies, published in autumn, showed that long-term exposure to airborne emissions promotes severe SARS-CoV2 infections. Nitrogen dioxide has the strongest negative impact. The increase in its concentration by 4.6 ppm (compounds per billion air particles) meant an increase in mortality in patients by 11.3 per cent and in general in the population by 16.2 per cent.