NO₂ levels as a contributing factor to COVID-19 deaths: The first empirical estimate of threshold values.

ABSTRACT: This study represents the first empirical estimation of threshold values between nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations and COVID-19-related deaths in France. The concentration of NO₂ linked to COVID-19-related deaths in three major French cities were determined using Artificial Neural Networks experiments and a Causal Direction from Dependency (D2C) algorithm. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential effects of NO₂ in spreading the epidemic. The underlying hypothesis is that NO₂, as a precursor to secondary particulate matter formation, can foster COVID-19 and make the respiratory system more susceptible to this infection. Three different neural networks for the cities of Paris, Lyon and Marseille were built in this work, followed by th

SUBMITTER: Mele M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7783466 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature