Research Shows Air Pollution May Be Deadly During COVID-19

New research shows that people living in high air pollution areas may be at a higher risk for complications and death during the coronavirus outbreak.

Consequences of Air Pollution

On Sept. 11, researchers at the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry published a study in IOP Science. Researchers aimed to determine the significance of air pollution during the coronavirus outbreak. Unfortunately, the study found that this pollution can have a significant effect on COVID-19 mortality rates.

Researchers looked at COVID-19 cases in around 3,100 counties across the country and compared their death rates to their levels of air pollution. Based on this data, the researchers concluded that COVID-19 mortality increases with increased respiratory hazard index levels – the system which indicates how many hazardous air pollutants are in the area.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hazardous air pollutants include air toxins which are known or suspected to cause adverse environmental effects or serious health effects such as cancer, reproductive effects, or birth defects. There are 187 hazardous air pollutants tracked by the EPA including benzene from gasoline, perchloroethylene which may be emitted from dry cleaning facilities, and methylene chloride – a solvent and paint stripper used in industrial settings.

According to the New York researchers, air pollution from these and other chemicals can increase the risk of death from COVID-19. For every increase in the respiratory hazard index, COVID-19 mortality reportedly increases by 9%.

“Our models suggest increased chronic multi-air pollutant exposure, even at levels below expected impact thresholds, are associated with higher COVID-19 mortality rates when controlling for known socioeconomic and behavioral health influences,” the researchers wrote.

“We present these findings with the goal of helping the US population maintain general pulmonary health resilience and safeguarding against future coronavirus pandemics.”

Respiratory Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak

The increase in mortality rates may be related to the well documented effects air pollution can have on respiratory health. The EPA recognizes that air pollution plays a significant role in asthma symptoms – making the chronic disease worse or triggering asthma attacks.

In light of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned asthma sufferers that they may be at a risk for complications during the coronavirus outbreak. Since COVID-19 affects the respiratory tract, the CDC cautions that asthma suffers who get the virus could suffer from an attack – leading to pneumonia and respiratory disease.

Due to these risks, the CDC has recommended that asthma sufferers do their best to treat their conditions and take steps to reduce their risk for COVID-19. However, in areas of high air pollution, asthma suffers may be fighting an uphill battle against both COVID-19 and environmental inequality.

Racial Disparities in COVID-19

The idea of getting COVID-19 is frightening to most Americans – but especially those minorities who have been disproportionally affected by asthma from air pollution and other environmental consequences.

The Mott Haven neighborhood in New York City – where 97% of the population is Black or Hispanic – has been given the nickname “Asthma Alley” due to the high levels of air pollution from nearby warehouses, the Wall Street Journal printing press, and four major highways.

Unfortunately, residents of this neighborhood need asthma hospitalizations far more frequently than most of the country. In fact, Mott Haven residents are reportedly 21 times more likely to need hospitalization for asthma than residents of other New York neighborhoods. This classic example of “pollution inequality” is widespread around the country.

“Racial–ethnic disparities in pollution exposure and in consumption of goods and services in the US are well documented,” a report from the National Academy of Sciences notes.

“Some may find it intuitive that, on average, [B]lack and Hispanic minorities bear a disproportionate burden from the air pollution caused mainly by non-Hispanic whites – but this effect has not previously been directly established, let alone quantified.”

In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, these environmental inequalities may translate to real life consequences – especially for Americans suffering from asthma and other health concerns due to air pollution.

Residents of high air pollution areas have been fighting against these consequences for years. They argue that the air pollution from industrial plants, trucks, and other sources often does nothing to benefit the local community and instead only harms local residents. Unfortunately, these residents are now facing the consequences during the coronavirus outbreak.

Do you live in an area with high air pollution? Are you worried about your health during the coronavirus outbreak?

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

Lawmakers Push Back Against EPA Crackdown On Vehicle Emissions Cheats

FDA Corruption: Hidden Reports Reveal Faulty Surgical Staplers

Mercedes-Benz To Pay $700M To Settle Emissions Fraud Class Action Lawsuit

Are Car Manufacturers Pre Recorded Calls Violating the TCPA?