Within-City Variation in Reactive Oxygen Species from Fine Particle Air Pollution and COVID-19

Abstract

Rationale: Evidence linking outdoor air pollution with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) incidence and mortality is largely based on ecological comparisons between regions that may differ in factors such as access to testing and control measures that may not be independent of air pollution concentrations. Moreover, studies have yet to focus on key mechanisms of air pollution toxicity such as oxidative stress. Objectives: To conduct a within-city analysis of spatial variations in COVID-19 incidence and the estimated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung lining fluid attributable to fine particulate matter (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ⩽2.5 μm [PM 2.5 ]). Methods: Sporadic and outbreak-related COVID-19 case counts, testing data, population data, and sociodemographic data for 140 neighborhoods were obtained from the City of Toronto. ROS estimates were based on a mathematical model of ROS generation in lung lining fluid in response to iron and copper in PM 2.5 . Spatial variations in long-term average ROS were predicted using a land-use regression model derived from measurements of iron and copper in PM 2.5 . Data were analyzed using negative binomial regression models adjusting for covariates identified using a directed acyclic graph and accounting for spatial autocorrelation. Measurements and Main Results: A significant positive association was observed between neighborhood-level ROS and COVID-19 incidence (incidence rate ratio = 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.15 per interquartile range ROS). Effect modification by neighborhood-level measures of racialized group membership and socioeconomic status was also identified. Conclusions: Examination of neighborhood characteristics associated with COVID-19 incidence can identify inequalities and generate hypotheses for future studies.

Ambient Air Pollution in Relation to SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Antibody Response, and COVID-19 Disease: A Cohort Study in Catalonia, Spain (COVICAT Study)

“…Several biological pathways have been proposed whereby exposure to outdoor air pollution may relate to transmission, host susceptibility, and disease severity (Woodby et al 2021;Stieb et al 2021). Air pollution has been postulated to affect the viability and transport of viral particles in the air (Frontera et al 2020;Martelletti and Martelletti 2020) and within the respiratory tract.…”

Stress Is in the Air: Ambient Reactive Oxygen Species and COVID-19

“…The "Within-city Variation in Reactive Oxygen Species from Fine Particle Air Pollution and COVID-19" paper by Stieb and colleagues, here, is of interest in several domains (1). First, while still an ecological study of the potential impact of exposure to air pollution on risk of COVID-19, it addresses some of the critiques of previously published studies (2).…”

“…The paper by Stieb and colleagues (pp. 168–177 ) in this issue of the Journal is of interest in several domains ( 1 ). First, although still an ecological study of the potential impact of exposure to air pollution on the risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it addresses some of the critiques of previously published studies ( 2 ).…”

Exogenous Chemical Exposure Increased Transcription Levels of the Host Virus Receptor Involving Coronavirus Infection

“… 11 However, nongenetic factors may also have a role in the outcome of COVID-19. 12 , 13 As the most important nongenetic factor, the exposed chemically interfered multilayer of biological response has the potential to cross with the regulatory signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. 14 , 15 …”