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Air Pollution Is Associated with COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in Vienna, Austria

Author

Listed:
  • Hans-Peter Hutter

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Michael Poteser

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Hanns Moshammer

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
    Department of Hygiene, Medical University of Karakalpakstan, Nukus 230100, Uzbekistan)

  • Kathrin Lemmerer

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Monika Mayer

    (Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Lisbeth Weitensfelder

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Peter Wallner

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Michael Kundi

    (Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

We determined the impact of air pollution on COVID-19-related mortality and reported-case incidence, analyzing the correlation of infection case numbers and outcomes with previous-year air pollution data from the populations of 23 Viennese districts. Time at risk started in a district when the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed. High exposure levels were defined as living in a district with an average (year 2019) concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and/or particulate matter (PM10) higher than the upper quartile (30 and 20 µg/m 3 , respectively) of all districts. The total population of the individual districts was followed until diagnosis of or death from COVID-19, or until 21 April 2020, whichever came first. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed after controlling for percentage of population aged 65 and more, percentage of foreigners and of persons with a university degree, unemployment rate, and population density. PM10 and NO 2 were significantly and positively associated with the risk of a COVID-19 diagnosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.44 and 1.16, respectively). NO 2 was also significantly associated with death from COVID-19 (HR = 1.72). Even within a single city, higher levels of air pollution are associated with an adverse impact on COVID-19 risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans-Peter Hutter & Michael Poteser & Hanns Moshammer & Kathrin Lemmerer & Monika Mayer & Lisbeth Weitensfelder & Peter Wallner & Michael Kundi, 2020. "Air Pollution Is Associated with COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in Vienna, Austria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9275-:d:460589
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hanns Moshammer & Michael Poteser & Kathrin Lemmerer & Peter Wallner & Hans-Peter Hutter, 2020. "Time Course of COVID-19 Cases in Austria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-8, May.
    2. Silvia Comunian & Dario Dongo & Chiara Milani & Paola Palestini, 2020. "Air Pollution and COVID-19: The Role of Particulate Matter in the Spread and Increase of COVID-19’s Morbidity and Mortality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Hanns Moshammer & Michael Poteser & Michael Kundi & Kathrin Lemmerer & Lisbeth Weitensfelder & Peter Wallner & Hans-Peter Hutter, 2020. "Nitrogen-Dioxide Remains a Valid Air Quality Indicator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-11, May.
    4. Marina Borro & Paolo Di Girolamo & Giovanna Gentile & Ottavia De Luca & Robert Preissner & Adriano Marcolongo & Stefano Ferracuti & Maurizio Simmaco, 2020. "Evidence-Based Considerations Exploring Relations between SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Air Pollution: Involvement of PM2.5-Mediated Up-Regulation of the Viral Receptor ACE-2," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Shima Hamidi & Sadegh Sabouri & Reid Ewing, 2020. "Does Density Aggravate the COVID-19 Pandemic?," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(4), pages 495-509, October.
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