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Effect of Green Space Environment on Air Pollutants PM2.5, PM10, CO, O 3 , and Incidence and Mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Highly Green and Less-Green Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Sultan Ayoub Meo

    (Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia)

  • Faris Jamal Almutairi

    (Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulelah Adnan Abukhalaf

    (Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia)

  • Adnan Mahmood Usmani

    (Diabetic Unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Worldwide, over half of the global population is living in urban areas. The metropolitan areas are highly populated and environmentally non-green regions on the planet. In green space regions, plants, grass, and green vegetation prevent soil erosion, absorb air pollutants, provide fresh and clean air, and minimize the burden of diseases. Presently, the entire world is facing a turmoil situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the effect of the green space environment on air pollutants particulate matter PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), incidence and mortality of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in environmentally highly green and less-green countries. We randomly selected 17 countries based on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) data. The 60% of the EPI score is based on seven categories: “biodiversity and habitat, ecosystem, fisheries, climate change, pollution emissions, agriculture, and water resources”. However, 40% of the score is based on four categories: “air quality, sanitation and drinking water, heavy metals, and waste management”. The air pollutants and SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths were recorded from 25 January 2020, to 11 July 2021. The air pollutants “PM2.5, PM10, CO, and O 3 ” were recorded from the metrological websites, Air Quality Index-AQI, 2021. The COVID-19 daily cases and deaths were obtained from the World Health Organization. The result reveals that air pollutants mean values for PM2.5 110.73 ± 1.09 vs. 31.35 ± 0.29; PM10 80.43 ± 1.11 vs. 17.78 ± 0.15; CO 7.92 ± 0.14 vs. 2.35 ± 0.03 were significantly decreased ( p < 0.0001) in environmentally highly green space countries compared to less-green countries. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 cases 15,713.61 ± 702.42 vs. 3445.59 ± 108.09; and deaths 297.56 ± 11.27 vs. 72.54 ± 2.61 were also significantly decreased in highly green countries compared to less-green countries. The green environment positively impacts human wellbeing. The policymakers must implement policies to keep the living areas, surroundings, towns, and cities clean and green to minimize air pollution and combat the present pandemic of COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Sultan Ayoub Meo & Faris Jamal Almutairi & Abdulelah Adnan Abukhalaf & Adnan Mahmood Usmani, 2021. "Effect of Green Space Environment on Air Pollutants PM2.5, PM10, CO, O 3 , and Incidence and Mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Highly Green and Less-Green Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13151-:d:701434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francesco Ferrini & Alessio Fini & Jacopo Mori & Antonella Gori, 2020. "Role of Vegetation as a Mitigating Factor in the Urban Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, May.
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    3. Sneha Gautam & Cyril Samuel & Alok Sagar Gautam & Sanjeev Kumar, 2021. "Strong link between coronavirus count and bad air: a case study of India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(11), pages 16632-16645, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuyi Zhang & Qiushi Sun & Jing Liu & Ovanes Petrosian, 2023. "Long-Term Forecasting of Air Pollution Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Analysis of Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Farshid Aram, 2024. "Resources of Urban Green Spaces and Sustainable Development," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-5, January.
    3. Sungwan Son & Aya Elkamhawy & Choon-Man Jang, 2022. "Active Soil Filter System for Indoor Air Purification in School Classrooms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, November.

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