Rising air pollution likely to make people more susceptible to covid-19, say experts

Just like every year, the time has come for our skies to be covered by thick grey clouds of pollution. And with a dip in temperature, we will get to see a dip in air quality index yet again. But, this year what is more worrying is the fact that air pollution will be combined with the coronavirus pandemic—which experts suggest can be more problematic.

Experts believe that air pollution can increase the transmissibility of the novel coronavirus making people more vulnerable to the disease and aggravating the covid-19 situation. They have also warned that those who have had the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past may also have to face new challenges.

With the winter approaching and easing of the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Delhi-NCR is bracing for months of poor air quality. According to doctors, respiratory illnesses like viral influenza increases with a spike in pollution levels as poor air quality leads to inflammation in the lungs making it more vulnerable for the virus to penetrate.

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Covid-19 cases are expected to rise like common cold in the winter

Dr Neeraj Nischal, an associate professor at the Department of Medicine at AIIMS says: “This year, we have covid-19. Like the common cold, the transmission of this virus is expected to increase with a rise in pollution levels. We may see a further surge in cases.”

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“Transmission apart, the presentation of covid-19 like other viral respiratory illnesses will be more severe in high-pollution areas. This will burden hospitals as more patients become symptomatic, requiring admission,” Dr Nischal added.

According to Dr Neeraj Gupta, a professor in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, mortality has been linked with population density, the proximity of people and heavily industrialized or urbanised areas which have higher pollution levels.

These factors are likely to become more effective during the festive season and winters, particularly in north India where stubble burning is common and this affects air quality severely, he said.

But how is air pollution linked with coronavirus?

“Italy showed a possible link between PM 2.5 concentration and excess mortality to the extent that one unit increase is associated with a nine per cent increase in covid-19 mortality,” Dr Gupta said, adding pollution can also assist in the transmission of the novel coronavirus.

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During smog, particulate matter remains suspended in the air near the earth’s surface for a longer period making it conducive for the transmission of the virus, he elaborated.

Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant of Internal Medicine at Apollo Hospitals, says: “We really don’t know how this virus is going to behave. But, we need to prepare ourselves for the worst, as pollution level increases and with winter setting in. It will be a dangerous combination.”

He cautioned that people with respiratory illness, like asthma and bronchitis, were at much higher risk of contracting coronavirus infection. “For people who have tested positive for covid-19, it is going to be a double whammy, with pollution making things worse,” he added.

Why are people who have already tested positive for coronavirus still at risk?

“Post-covid fibrosis and immunoparalysis make their lungs more susceptible to superadded bacterial pneumonia and other viral respiratory illnesses. We urge everyone to get inoculated with the influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine to prevent additional infections in these times,” Dr Nischal stressed.

According to Dr Gupta, with the cohort of survivors of covid-19 increasing, a significant number is noted to be symptomatic—43% with respiratory complaints—even after two months.

These individuals are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, which is known to cause chronic airway irritation and inflammation, affects mucus clearing, impairs immunity and acutely precipitates airway disorders like asthma, COPD, lung fibrosis or even cancer-related conditions.

Dr Vivek Nangia, principal director and head of pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi’s Saket said that for individuals belonging to the high-risk groups who are at extremes of ages and suffering from chronic disease are advised to stay indoors or at least restrict their movement to bare essential activities outdoors.

“While outdoors, wear a mask at all times and stay away from firecrackers during Diwali. Keep your inhaler handy and consult a doctor at the earliest. Even for the others, it is strongly recommended that they minimize their outdoor activities and wear a mask at all times,” he said.

“The number of cases will go up. There is a study which has been published by Harvard Medical School, USA, where they have shown that with every one micron per metre rise in PM 2.5 particles, there’s an eight per cent increase in the mortality,” Dr Nangia concluded.