The effects of atmospheric stability with low wind speed and of air pollution on the accelerated transmission dynamics of COVID-19

Abstract

The goal of this study is to explain the relation among atmospheric stability/turbulence (considering wind speed), air pollution and the spread of COVID-19 to provide insights into environmental risk factors of specific regions. Results reveal that cities with high atmospheric stability, based on a low wind speed, and frequently high levels of air pollution-exceeding safe levels of ozone or particulate matter-had higher numbers of COVID-19 related infected individuals and deaths. This finding suggests that atmospheric stability, based on low wind speed, reduces the dispersion of gaseous and particulate matters (air pollution), which can act as carrier of the SARS-CoV-2 in the air to sustain the diffusion of COVID-19 in environment, generating problems of public health in society.

How (Un)sustainable Environments Are Related to the Diffusion of COVID-19: The Relation between Coronavirus Disease 2019, Air Pollution, Wind Resource and Energy

“…In fact, scholars state that a high level of air pollution can increase the viral infectivity and lethality of the COVID-19 [10]. In addition, atmosphere with low wind prevents the dispersion of air pollutants, which seem to be one of the determinants of higher incidence of COVID-19 in some European regions, such as North Italy [11]. The study by van Doremalen et al [12] revealed that in China, viral agents of SARS-CoV-2 may be suspended in the air for several minutes and this finding can explain higher number of cases and deaths related to COVID-19 in manifold countries, such as the USA, India, Brazil, Mexico, etc.…”

“…[13]. In general, several studies present the hypothesis that atmospheric pollution associated with certain climatological factors (such as, high humidity and low wind speed) may support a longer permanence of viral particles in the air, fostering the rapid spread of COVID-19 within polluted regions [5,11,12,14,15]. In this context, Martorell-Marugán et al [16] suggest new tools for supporting increased data analysis and statistical capabilities that allow users to explore trends and associations between critical environmental data and the spread of COVID-19 in society.…”

The effects of the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic on public health

“…Hence, these conclusions are of course tentative because in the presence of the second and future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic manifold socioeconomic and environmental factors play a critical role (Coccia, 2020a(Coccia, , 2020b(Coccia, , 2020c(Coccia, , 2020d. There is need for much more detailed research on how COVID-19 pandemic and similar epidemics evolve in different economic, social, environmental and institutional contexts and especially in a specific period of time of a given geographical area (Coccia, 2020e).…”

“…Figures 1-2-3 show the trend of variables just mentioned confirming, ictu oculi, that the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy on public health has been stronger than second one in the first 105 days of the evolution of this pandemic. However, Figure 1 of confirmed cases reveals a growing trend for second pandemic wave, whereas the first one has a declining trend also because of lockdown and quarantine and the progression of COVID-19 pandemic towards summer season when the novel coronavirus seems to have a seasonality with natural reduction of transmission for better weather conditions (e.g., hot temperatures) and also low levels of air pollution for containment measures applied (cf., Coccia, , 2020aCoccia, , 2020bRosario Dentes et al, 2020). Figure 2 shows trends of admission to ICUs: the second wave has an intensity lower than first pandemic wave and both waves seem to have stable dynamics.…”

How Is the Impact on Public Health of Second Wave of Covid-19 Pandemic Compared to the First Wave? Case Study of Italy

“…However, Figure 1 of confirmed cases reveals a growing trend for second pandemic wave, whereas the first one has a declining trend also because of lockdown and quarantine and the progression of COVID-19 pandemic towards summer season when the novel coronavirus seems to have a seasonality with natural reduction of transmission for better weather conditions (e.g., hot temperatures) and also low levels of air pollution for containment measures applied (cf., Coccia, 2020Coccia, , 2020aCoccia, , 2020bRosario Dentes et al, 2020 positive association of the coefficient of correlation is between fatality rates and confirmed cases (r=.24, pvalue <.05), whereas correlation between ICUs and confirmed cases is negative (r= −.22, p-value <.05). Table 2 seems to show that many infected individuals died as well as a lot of patients in ICUs likely because of low knowledge of the pathology and evolution of COVID-19 in patients, and lack of appropriate therapies and low number of ICUs in hospitals (Gattinoni et al, 2020;Sterpetti, 2020).…”