Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and COVID-19 severity: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The tremendous global health burden related to COVID-19 means that identifying determinants of COVID-19 severity is important for prevention and intervention. We aimed to explore long-term exposure to ambient air pollution as a potential contributor to COVID-19 severity, given its known impact on the respiratory system.

Methods

We used a cohort of all people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, aged 20 years and older and not residing in a long-term care facility in Ontario, Canada, during 2020. We evaluated the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ground-level ozone (O₃), and risk of COVID-19-related hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death.

SUBMITTER: Chen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9188786 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature