To date, several scientific studies focused on viruses diffusion among humans demonstrated that increased incidence of infection is related to airborne particulate matter (PM) concentration levels [1,2]. It is known that PM fractions (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) serve as carrier for several chemical and biologic pollutants, viruses included. Viruses may be adsorbed through coagulation onto particulate matter composed by solid and/or liquid particles whose lifetime into the atmosphere is hours, days or weeks. Particles and adsorbed biologic pollutants may be subjected to diffusion into the atmosphere and transport, also at long distances (long-range transport).
PM also represents a substrate allowing long term persistence of viruses into the atmosphere, hours or days. Viral inactivation depends on selected environmental parameters: if on the one hand both high temperature and solar radiation are able to speed up the inactivation rate, on the other hand high relative humidity may promote the diffusion rate [3]. Recently published scientific studies already highlighted the relationship between viruses diffusion among exposed population and particulate matter concentration levels into the atmosphere.
As a result, the authors suggested to develop effective abatement strategies of PM concentration levels with the purpose to reduce potential risks for the population.
Given the brief introduction reported above, it is possible to conclude that particulate matter fractions PM2.5 and PM10 represent an effective carrier for viruses transport and diffusion and proliferation of virus diseases as well.
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
In conclusion, the rapid COVID-19 infection spread observed in selected regions of Northen Italy is supposed be related to PM10 pollution due to airborne particles able to serve as carrier of pathogens. As already highlighted in previous studies, it is recommended to take into account PM10 contribution and make policymakers aware of the need to take direct actions for pollution control.
A double whammy for those whose respiratory systems have already been weakened by a lifetime of exposure to such pollutants, like most residents of large cities and particularly those in heavy industrial areas like parts of China and north Italy.
@Mark Townend
Indeed. A New York Times article of April 7, 2020 entitled “New Research Links Air Pollution to Higher Coronavirus Death Rates” (that I cannot seem to link to properly) describes very similar findings.