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Novel Coronavirus: How Atmospheric Particulate Affects Our Environment and Health

Author

Listed:
  • Luigi Sanità di Toppi

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Sanità di Toppi

    (Freelance Management Engineer, 56121 Pisa, Italy)

  • Erika Bellini

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

It is well-known that atmospheric pollution, first and foremost the particulate matter (PM), causes serious diseases in humans. China’s metropolises and Italy’s Po Valley have in fact achieved a concerning degree of notoriety thanks to runaway air pollution problems. The spread of viral respiratory diseases is facilitated in polluted environments, an example of which is the respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. In this opinion paper, we consider the possible relationship between air pollution, primarily airborne PM 10–2.5 , and the spread of the novel coronavirus in Northern Italy. If it is true that the novel coronavirus remains active from some hours to several days on various surfaces, it is logical to postulate that the same can occur when it is adsorbed or absorbed by the atmospheric particulate matter, which may also help carry the virus into the human respiratory system. As the Earth presents us with a very high bill to pay, governments and other authorities need to take prompt action to counter excessive pollution levels, both in Italy and in other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Sanità di Toppi & Lorenzo Sanità di Toppi & Erika Bellini, 2020. "Novel Coronavirus: How Atmospheric Particulate Affects Our Environment and Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:11:y:2020:i:1:p:6-:d:351831
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cesare Cislaghi & Pier Luigi Nimis, 1997. "Lichens, air pollution and lung cancer," Nature, Nature, vol. 387(6632), pages 463-464, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tsai-Chi Kuo & Ana Maria Pacheco & Aditya Prana Iswara & Denny Dermawan & Gerry Andhikaputra & Lin-Han Chiang Hsieh, 2020. "Sustainable Ambient Environment to Prevent Future Outbreaks: How Ambient Environment Relates to COVID-19 Local Transmission in Lima, Peru," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Stephen C. Newbold & David Finnoff & Linda Thunström & Madison Ashworth & Jason F. Shogren, 2020. "Effects of Physical Distancing to Control COVID-19 on Public Health, the Economy, and the Environment," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 76(4), pages 705-729, August.
    3. Muhammad Azher Hassan & Tariq Mehmood & Ehtisham Lodhi & Muhammad Bilal & Afzal Ahmed Dar & Junjie Liu, 2022. "Lockdown Amid COVID-19 Ascendancy over Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution Anomaly," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-31, October.
    4. Joseph Ching & Mizuo Kajino, 2020. "Rethinking Air Quality and Climate Change after COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-11, July.

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