1
|
Arregocés HA, Rojano R, Restrepo G. Health risk assessment for particulate matter: application of AirQ+ model in the northern Caribbean region of Colombia. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2023; 16:897-912. [PMID: 36819789 PMCID: PMC9930048 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-023-01304-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is considered the world's most important environmental and public health risk. The annual exposure for particulate matter (PM) in the northern Caribbean region of Colombia between 2011 and 2019 was determined using PM records from 25 monitoring stations located within the area. The impact of exposure to particulate matter was assessed through the updated Global Burden of Disease health risk functions using the AirQ+ model for mortality attributable to acute lower respiratory disease (in children ≤ 4 years); mortality in adults aged > 18 years old attributable to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke; and all-cause post-neonatal infant mortality. The proportions of the prevalence of bronchitis in children and the incidence of chronic bronchitis in adults attributable to PM exposure were also estimated for the population at risk. Weather Research and Forecasting-California PUFF (WRF-CALPUFF) modeling systems were used to estimate the spatiotemporal trends and calculate mortality relative risk due to prolonged PM2.5 exposure. Proportions of mortality attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5 were estimated to be around 11.6% of ALRI deaths in children ≤ 4 years of age, 16.1% for COPD, and 26.6% for IHD in adults. For LC and stroke, annual proportions attributable to PM exposure were estimated to be 9.1% and 18.9%, respectively. An estimated 738 deaths per year are directly attributed to particulate matter pollution. The highest number of deaths per year is recorded in the adult population over 18 years old with a mean of 401 events. The mean risk in terms of the prevalence of bronchitis attributable to air pollution in children was determined to be 109 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The maximum RR values for mortality (up 1.95%) from long-term PM2.5 exposure were predicted to correspond to regions downwind to the industrial zone. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01304-5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heli A. Arregocés
- Grupo de Investigación GISA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, Colombia
- Grupo Procesos Fisicoquímicos Aplicados, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia SIU/UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52–21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Roberto Rojano
- Grupo de Investigación GISA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La Guajira, Riohacha, Colombia
| | - Gloria Restrepo
- Grupo Procesos Fisicoquímicos Aplicados, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia SIU/UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52–21, Medellín, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Antonietti R, Falbo P, Fontini F. The Wealth of Nations and the First Wave of COVID-19 Diffusion. ITALIAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL 2023; 9. [PMCID: PMC8591320 DOI: 10.1007/s40797-021-00174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A large debate has risen about the hypothesis that “COVID-19 is a disease for the rich ones” suggesting that both its diffusion and mortality rates are somehow linked with economic wealth. In this study we observe a sample of 138 countries during the first wave contagion period, namely the 5 weeks between 24 March and 21 April 2020. Using different data sources, our estimates show that both the early infection and the mortality rates of COVID-19 are higher in wealthier countries, more precisely in countries with a higher GDP per capita. As an explanation of this finding, we also find that both mortality and infection rates increase with a higher share of elderly population and with the international flows of imported goods or tourists. However, the death rate decreases in countries with higher endowments of health facilities. We also demonstrate that these results are robust to simultaneity, unobserved heterogeneity, the possible poor quality of the data on COVID-19 deaths, and the extension of the time frame.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Antonietti
- Marco Fanno” Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Falbo
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fulvio Fontini
- Marco Fanno” Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pivato A, Formenton G, Di Maria F, Baldovin T, Amoruso I, Bonato T, Mancini P, Bonanno Ferraro G, Veneri C, Iaconelli M, Bonadonna L, Vicenza T, La Rosa G, Suffredini E. SARS-CoV-2 in Atmospheric Particulate Matter: An Experimental Survey in the Province of Venice in Northern Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159462. [PMID: 35954818 PMCID: PMC9367860 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has been proposed for the environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to increase the current knowledge about the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in atmospheric PM, introduce a dedicated sampling method, and perform a simultaneous assessment of human seasonal coronavirus 229E. Thirty-two PM samples were collected on quartz fiber filters and six on Teflon using a low- and high-volumetric rate sampler, respectively, adopting a novel procedure for optimized virus detection. Sampling was performed at different sites in the Venice area (Italy) between 21 February and 8 March 2020 (n = 16) and between 27 October and 25 November 2020 (n = 22). A total of 14 samples were positive for Coronavirus 229E, 11 of which were collected in October–November 2020 (11/22; positivity rate 50%) and 3 in February–March 2020 (3/16 samples, 19%). A total of 24 samples (63%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Most of the positive filters were collected in October–November 2020 (19/22; positivity rate, 86%), whereas the remaining five were collected in February–March 2020 at two distinct sites (5/16, 31%). These findings suggest that outdoor PM analysis could be a promising tool for environmental surveillance. The results report a low concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in outdoor air, supporting a scarce contribution to the spread of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pivato
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA), University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Gianni Formenton
- Environmental Agency of Veneto Region (ARPAV), 30171 Mestre, Italy;
| | - Francesco Di Maria
- LAR Laboratory, Dipartimento di Ingegneria, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Tatjana Baldovin
- Hygiene and Public Health Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Irene Amoruso
- Hygiene and Public Health Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Tiziano Bonato
- Società Estense Servizi Ambientali (S.E.S.A. S.p.A.), 35042 Este, Italy;
| | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.M.); (G.B.F.); (C.V.); (M.I.); (L.B.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Giusy Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.M.); (G.B.F.); (C.V.); (M.I.); (L.B.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.M.); (G.B.F.); (C.V.); (M.I.); (L.B.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Marcello Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.M.); (G.B.F.); (C.V.); (M.I.); (L.B.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Lucia Bonadonna
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.M.); (G.B.F.); (C.V.); (M.I.); (L.B.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Teresa Vicenza
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (E.S.)
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.M.); (G.B.F.); (C.V.); (M.I.); (L.B.); (G.L.R.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (T.V.); (E.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Grudlewska-Buda K, Wałecka-Zacharska E, Kwiecińska-Piróg J, Radtke L, Gospodarek-Komkowska E, Skowron K. SARS-CoV-2 in the environment-Non-droplet spreading routes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:145260. [PMID: 33513500 PMCID: PMC7825822 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, first identified in Wuhan (China) in December 2019, represents the same family as the Serve Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1). These viruses spread mainly via the droplet route. However, during the pandemic of COVID-19 other reservoirs, i.e., water (surface and ground), sewage, garbage, or soil, should be considered. As the infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles are also present in human excretions, such a non-droplet transmission is also possible. A significant problem is the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the hospital environment, including patients' rooms, medical equipment, everyday objects and the air. Relevant is selecting the type of equipment in the COVID-19 hospital wards on which the virus particles persist the shortest or do not remain infectious. Elimination of plastic objects/equipment from the environment of the infected person seems to be of great importance. It is particularly relevant in water reservoirs contaminated with raw discharges. Wastewater may contain coronaviruses and therefore there is a need for expanding Water-Based Epidemiology (WBE) studies to use obtained values as tool in determination of the actual percentage of the SARS-CoV-2 infected population in an area. It is of great importance to evaluate the available disinfection methods to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Exposure of SARS-CoV-2 to 65-70% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite has effectively eliminated the virus from the surfaces. Since there are many unanswered questions about the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the research on this topic is still ongoing. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 transmission and elucidate the viral survival in the environment, with particular emphasis on the possibility of non-droplet transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke
- Department of Microbiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, 9 M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Street, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Grudlewska-Buda
- Department of Microbiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, 9 M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Street, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Ewa Wałecka-Zacharska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Consumer Health, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 31 C.K. Norwida St., 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Kwiecińska-Piróg
- Department of Microbiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, 9 M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Street, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Laura Radtke
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, UTP University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz, Al. prof. S. Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Eugenia Gospodarek-Komkowska
- Department of Microbiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, 9 M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Street, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skowron
- Department of Microbiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier in Bydgoszcz, 9 M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Street, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Community Risk Factors in the COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in Catalonia (Spain). A Population-Based Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073768. [PMID: 33916590 PMCID: PMC8038505 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The heterogenous distribution of both COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Catalonia (Spain) during the firsts moths of the pandemic suggests that differences in baseline risk factors across regions might play a relevant role in modulating the outcome of the pandemic. This paper investigates the associations between both COVID-19 incidence and mortality and air pollutant concentration levels, and screens the potential effect of the type of agri-food industry and the overall land use and cover (LULC) at area level. We used a main model with demographic, socioeconomic and comorbidity covariates highlighted in previous research as important predictors. This allowed us to take a glimpse of the independent effect of the explanatory variables when controlled for the main model covariates. Our findings are aligned with previous research showing that the baseline features of the regions in terms of general health status, pollutant concentration levels (here NO2 and PM10), type of agri-food industry, and type of land use and land cover have modulated the impact of COVID-19 at a regional scale. This study is among the first to explore the associations between COVID-19 and the type of agri-food industry and LULC data using a population-based approach. The results of this paper might serve as the basis to develop new research hypotheses using a more comprehensive approach, highlighting the inequalities of regions in terms of risk factors and their response to COVID-19, as well as fostering public policies towards more resilient and safer environments.
Collapse
|
6
|
Borro L, Mazzei L, Raponi M, Piscitelli P, Miani A, Secinaro A. The role of air conditioning in the diffusion of Sars-CoV-2 in indoor environments: A first computational fluid dynamic model, based on investigations performed at the Vatican State Children's hospital. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 193:110343. [PMID: 33068577 PMCID: PMC7557177 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About 15 million people worldwide were affected by the Sars-Cov-2 infection, which already caused 600,000 deaths. This virus is mainly transmitted through exhalations from the airways of infected persons, so that Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems might play a role in increasing or reducing the spreading of the infection in indoor environments. METHODS We modeled the role of HVAC systems in the diffusion of the contagion through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of cough at the "Bambino Gesù" Vatican State Children's Hospital. Both waiting and hospital rooms were modeled as indoor scenarios. A specific Infection-Index (η) parameter was used to estimate the amount of contaminated air inhaled by each person present in the simulated indoor scenarios. The potential role of exhaust air ventilation systems placed above the coughing patient's mouth was also assessed. RESULTS Our CFD-based simulations of the waiting room show that HVAC air-flow remarkably enhances infected droplets diffusion in the whole indoor environment within 25 s from the cough event, despite the observed dilution of saliva particles containing the virus. At the same time also their number is reduced due to removal through the HVAC system or deposition on the surfaces. The proper use of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems (LEV) simulated in the hospital room was associated to a complete reduction of infected droplets spreading from the patient's mouth in the first 0.5 s following the cough event. In the hospital room, the use of LEV system completely reduced the η index computed for the patient hospitalized at the bed next to the spreader, with a decreased possibility of contagion. CONCLUSIONS CFD-based simulations for indoor environment can be useful to optimize air conditioning flow and to predict the contagion risk both in hospitals/ambulatories and in other public/private settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Borro
- Department of Imaging, Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | - Prisco Piscitelli
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, SIMA, Milan, Italy; Staff UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miani
- Italian Society of Environmental Medicine, SIMA, Milan, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Aurelio Secinaro
- Department of Imaging, Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Moreno T, Pintó RM, Bosch A, Moreno N, Alastuey A, Minguillón MC, Anfruns-Estrada E, Guix S, Fuentes C, Buonanno G, Stabile L, Morawska L, Querol X. Tracing surface and airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA inside public buses and subway trains. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106326. [PMID: 33340987 PMCID: PMC7723781 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Given the widespread concern but general lack of information over the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection in public transport, key issues such as passenger personal hygiene, efficient air circulation systems, and the effective disinfection of frequently touched surfaces need to be evaluated to educate the public and diminish the risk of viral transmission as we learn to live with the ongoing pandemic. In this context we report on a study involving the collection of 99 samples taken from inside Barcelona buses and subway trains in May to July 2020. From this sample group 82 (58 surface swabs, 9 air conditioning (a/c) filters, 3 a/c dust, 12 ambient air) were selected to be analysed by RT-PCR for traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thirty of these selected samples showed evidence for one or more of 3 target RNA gene regions specific for this virus (IP2, IP4, E). Most (24) of these 30 samples showed positivity for only 1 of the 3 RNA targets, 4 samples yielded 2 targets, and 2 samples provided evidence for all 3 targets. RNA remnants were more common in surface swabs from support bars (23 out of 58) than in ambient air inside the vehicles (3 out of 12), with relatively higher concentrations of viral RNA fragments in buses rather than in trains. Whereas subway train a/c filters examined were all virus-free, 4 of the 9 bus a/c filter/dust samples yielded evidence for viral RNA. After nocturnal maintenance and cleaning most buses initially yielding positive results subsequently showed elimination of the RT-PCR signal, although signs of viral RNA remained in 4 of 13 initially positive samples. The presence of such remnant viral traces however does not demonstrate infectivity, which in the present study is considered unlikely given the fragmentary nature of the gene targets detected. Nevertheless, best practice demands that close attention to ventilation systems and regular vehicle disinfection in public transport worldwide need to be rigorously applied to be effective at eliminating traces of the virus throughout the vehicle, especially at times when COVID-19 cases are peaking. Additionally, infectivity tests should be implemented to evaluate the efficiency of disinfection procedures to complement the information resulting from RT-PCR analysis. Modelling the probability of infection whilst travelling in buses under different scenarios indicates that forced ventilation greatly reduces the risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Moreno
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa María Pintó
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Dep. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Bosch
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Dep. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia Moreno
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Alastuey
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Cruz Minguillón
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Anfruns-Estrada
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Dep. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Guix
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Dep. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Fuentes
- Enteric Virus Laboratory, Dep. Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giorgio Buonanno
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, Italy; International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Luca Stabile
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, Italy
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Xavier Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Carleton T, Cornetet J, Huybers P, Meng KC, Proctor J. Global evidence for ultraviolet radiation decreasing COVID-19 growth rates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021. [PMID: 33323525 DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3588601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With nearly every country combating the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), there is a need to understand how local environmental conditions may modify transmission. To date, quantifying seasonality of the disease has been limited by scarce data and the difficulty of isolating climatological variables from other drivers of transmission in observational studies. We combine a spatially resolved dataset of confirmed COVID-19 cases, composed of 3,235 regions across 173 countries, with local environmental conditions and a statistical approach developed to quantify causal effects of environmental conditions in observational data settings. We find that ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a statistically significant effect on daily COVID-19 growth rates: a SD increase in UV lowers the daily growth rate of COVID-19 cases by ∼1 percentage point over the subsequent 2.5 wk, relative to an average in-sample growth rate of 13.2%. The time pattern of lagged effects peaks 9 to 11 d after UV exposure, consistent with the combined timescale of incubation, testing, and reporting. Cumulative effects of temperature and humidity are not statistically significant. Simulations illustrate how seasonal changes in UV have influenced regional patterns of COVID-19 growth rates from January to June, indicating that UV has a substantially smaller effect on the spread of the disease than social distancing policies. Furthermore, total COVID-19 seasonality has indeterminate sign for most regions during this period due to uncertain effects of other environmental variables. Our findings indicate UV exposure influences COVID-19 cases, but a comprehensive understanding of seasonality awaits further analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamma Carleton
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3151
| | - Jules Cornetet
- Département de Sciences Sociales, École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, 94235 Cachan Cedex, France
| | - Peter Huybers
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Kyle C Meng
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3151;
- Department of Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3151
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Jonathan Proctor
- Center for the Environment, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Data Science Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Travaglio M, Yu Y, Popovic R, Selley L, Leal NS, Martins LM. Links between air pollution and COVID-19 in England. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021. [PMID: 33120349 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.16.20067405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In December 2019, a novel disease, coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), emerged in Wuhan, People's Republic of China. COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) presumed to have jumped species from another mammal to humans. This virus has caused a rapidly spreading global pandemic. To date, over 300,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in England and over 40,000 patients have died. While progress has been achieved in managing this disease, the factors in addition to age that affect the severity and mortality of COVID-19 have not been clearly identified. Recent studies of COVID-19 in several countries identified links between air pollution and death rates. Here, we explored potential links between major fossil fuel-related air pollutants and SARS-CoV-2 mortality in England. We compared current SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths from public databases to both regional and subregional air pollution data monitored at multiple sites across England. After controlling for population density, age and median income, we show positive relationships between air pollutant concentrations, particularly nitrogen oxides, and COVID-19 mortality and infectivity. Using detailed UK Biobank data, we further show that PM2.5 was a major contributor to COVID-19 cases in England, as an increase of 1 m3 in the long-term average of PM2.5 was associated with a 12% increase in COVID-19 cases. The relationship between air pollution and COVID-19 withstands variations in the temporal scale of assessments (single-year vs 5-year average) and remains significant after adjusting for socioeconomic, demographic and health-related variables. We conclude that a small increase in air pollution leads to a large increase in the COVID-19 infectivity and mortality rate in England. This study provides a framework to guide both health and emissions policies in countries affected by this pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yizhou Yu
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Liza Selley
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Berman JD, Ebisu K. Changes in U.S. air pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 739:139864. [PMID: 32512381 PMCID: PMC7442629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 291] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 global pandemic has likely affected air quality due to extreme changes in human behavior. We assessed air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the continental United States from January 8th-April 21st in 2017-2020. We considered pollution during the COVID-19 period (March 13-April 21st) and the pre-COVID-19 period (January 8th-March 12th) with 2020 representing 'current' data and 2017-2019 representing 'historical' data. County-level pollution concentrations were compared between historical versus current periods, and counties were stratified by institution of early or late non-essential business closures. Statistically significant NO2 declines were observed during the current COVID-19 period compared to historical data: a 25.5% reduction with absolute decrease of 4.8 ppb. PM2.5 also showed decreases during the COVID-19 period, and the reduction is statistically significant in urban counties and counties from states instituting early non-essential business closures. Understanding how air pollution is affected during COVID-19 pandemic will provide important clues regarding health effects and control of emissions. Further investigation is warranted to link this finding with health implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Berman
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, United States of America.
| | - Keita Ebisu
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, CalEPA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Carraturo F, Del Giudice C, Morelli M, Cerullo V, Libralato G, Galdiero E, Guida M. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment and COVID-19 transmission risk from environmental matrices and surfaces. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:115010. [PMID: 32570023 PMCID: PMC7280109 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading around the world, representing a global pandemic, counting, as of June 5th, 2020, over 6,600,000 confirmed cases and more than 390,000 deaths, with exponentially increasing numbers. In the first half of 2020, because of the widespread of the COVID-19, researches were focused on the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in water, wastewater, sludge, air, and on surfaces, in order to assess the risk of contracting the viral infection from contaminated environments. So far, the survival of the novel Coronavirus out of the human body has been reported for short time periods (from hours to few days, in optimized in vitro conditions), mainly because of the need of an host organism which could consent the viral attack, and due to the weak external membrane of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding strategies in the environment, either through animate and unanimate matrices, or exploiting the organic matter in water, wastewater, and waste in general, have been discussed in the present article. We concluded that, besides the high infectuousness of the novel Coronavirus, the transmission of the pathogen may be efficiently contained applying the adequate preventive measures (e.g., personal protection equipments, and disinfecting agents), indicated by national and international health authories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Carraturo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Carmela Del Giudice
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Morelli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Cerullo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Galdiero
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Huang Z, Huang J, Gu Q, Du P, Liang H, Dong Q. Optimal temperature zone for the dispersal of COVID-19. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 736:139487. [PMID: 32479958 PMCID: PMC7229913 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
It is essential to know the environmental parameters within which the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can survive to understand its global dispersal pattern. We found that 60.0% of the confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in places where the air temperature ranged from 5 °C to 15 °C, with a peak in cases at 11.54 °C. Moreover, approximately 73.8% of the confirmed cases were concentrated in regions with absolute humidity of 3 g/m3 to 10 g/m3. SARS-CoV-2 appears to be spreading toward higher latitudes. Our findings suggest that there is an optimal climatic zone in which the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 markedly increases in the ambient environment (including the surfaces of objects). These results strongly imply that the COVID-19 pandemic may spread cyclically and outbreaks may recur in large cities in the mid-latitudes in autumn 2020.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety (CIWES), College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jianping Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety (CIWES), College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Qianqing Gu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety (CIWES), College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Pengyue Du
- Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety (CIWES), College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hongbin Liang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety (CIWES), College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qing Dong
- Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety (CIWES), College of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Holuka C, Merz MP, Fernandes SB, Charalambous EG, Seal SV, Grova N, Turner JD. The COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Our Early Life Environment, Life Trajectory and Socioeconomic Status Determine Disease Susceptibility and Severity? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5094. [PMID: 32707661 PMCID: PMC7404093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A poor socioeconomic environment and social adversity are fundamental determinants of human life span, well-being and health. Previous influenza pandemics showed that socioeconomic factors may determine both disease detection rates and overall outcomes, and preliminary data from the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic suggests that this is still true. Over the past years it has become clear that early-life adversity (ELA) plays a critical role biasing the immune system towards a pro-inflammatory and senescent phenotype many years later. Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) appear to be particularly sensitive to the early life social environment. As we understand more about the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 it appears that a functional CTL (CD8+) response is required to clear the infection and COVID-19 severity is increased as the CD8+ response becomes somehow diminished or exhausted. This raises the hypothesis that the ELA-induced pro-inflammatory and senescent phenotype may play a role in determining the clinical course of COVID-19, and the convergence of ELA-induced senescence and COVID-19 induced exhaustion represents the worst-case scenario with the least effective T-cell response. If the correct data is collected, it may be possible to separate the early life elements that have made people particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 many years later. This will, naturally, then help us identify those that are most at risk from developing the severest forms of COVID-19. In order to do this, we need to recognize socioeconomic and early-life factors as genuine medically and clinically relevant data that urgently need to be collected. Finally, many biological samples have been collected in the ongoing studies. The mechanisms linking the early life environment with a defined later-life phenotype are starting to be elucidated, and perhaps hold the key to understanding inequalities and differences in the severity of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyrielle Holuka
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Myriam P. Merz
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Sara B. Fernandes
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Eleftheria G. Charalambous
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Snehaa V. Seal
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Nathalie Grova
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
- Calbinotox, Faculty of Science and Technology, Lorraine University, 54506 Nancy, France
| | - Jonathan D. Turner
- Immune Endocrine Epigenetics Research Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4345 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (C.H.); (M.P.M.); (S.B.F.); (E.G.C.); (S.V.S.); (N.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kaur S, Bherwani H, Gulia S, Vijay R, Kumar R. Understanding COVID-19 transmission, health impacts and mitigation: timely social distancing is the key. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 2020; 23:6681-6697. [PMID: 32837280 PMCID: PMC7368631 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-00884-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, first identified in China and spread globally, resulting into pandemic. Transmission of virus takes place either directly through close contact with infected individual (symptomatic/asymptomatic) or indirectly by touching contaminated surfaces. Virus survives on the surfaces from few hours to days. It enters the human body through nose, eyes or mouth. Other sources of contamination are faeces, blood, food, water, semen etc. Parameters such as temperature/relative humidity also play an important role in transmission. As the disease is evolving, so are the number of cases. Proper planning and restriction are helping in influencing the trajectory of the transmission. Various measures are undertaken to prevent infection such as maintaining hygiene, using facemasks, isolation/quarantine, social/physical distancing, in extreme cases lockdown (restricted movement except essential services) in hot spot areas or throughout the country. Countries that introduced various mitigation measures had experienced control in transmission of COVID-19. Python programming is conducted for change point analysis (CPA) using Bayesian probability approach for understanding the impact of restrictions and mitigation methods in terms of either increase or stagnation in number of COVID-19 cases for eight countries. From analysis it is concluded that countries which acted late in bringing in the social distancing measures are suffering in terms of high number of cases with USA, leading among eight countries analysed. The CPA week in comparison with date of lockdown and first reported case strongly correlates (Pearson's r = - 0.86 to - 0.97) to cases, cases per unit area and cases per unit population, indicating earlier the mitigation strategy, lesser the number of cases. The overall paper will help the decision makers in understanding the possible steps for mitigation, more so in developing countries where the fight against COVID-19 seems to have just begun.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satinder Kaur
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400018 India
| | - Hemant Bherwani
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002 India
| | - Sunil Gulia
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Delhi, 110028 India
| | - Ritesh Vijay
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020 India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440020 India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kumar P, Morawska L. Could fighting airborne transmission be the next line of defence against COVID-19 spread? CITY AND ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS 2019; 4:100033. [PMID: 34235420 PMCID: PMC7245210 DOI: 10.1016/j.cacint.2020.100033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization declared the infectious spread of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) an epidemic during its initial outbreak in Wuhan (China) and has since declared it a pandemic and, more recently, an endemic infection that may remain in our communities. A vaccine for COVID-19 is expected to take several months, meaning that the spread may continue in future, in the absence of the most effective measures of social distancing and self-isolation. While these measures have worked well under lockdowns, the potential of airborne transmission of COVID-19 under the eased restrictions has not been considered important enough. We discuss the need to acknowledge the airborne spread of COVID-19 inside built spaces under eased movement restrictions and the potential steps that can be taken to control it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author at: Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), School of Earth of Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|