Exposure to air pollution and COVID‐19 severity: A review of current insights, management, and challenges

Several epidemiological studies have suggested a link between air pollution and respiratory tract infections. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) poses a great threat to public health worldwide. However, some parts of the globe have been worse affected in terms of prevalence and deaths than others. The causes and conditions of such variations have yet to be explored. Although some studies indicated a possible correlation between air pollution and COVID‐19 severity, there is yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer. This review summarizes the impact of air pollution on COVID‐19 infections and severity and discusses the possible management strategies and challenges involved. The available literature investigating the correlation between air pollution and COVID‐19 infections and mortality are included in the review. The studies reviewed here suggest that exposure to air pollution, particularly to PM2.5 and NO2, is positively correlated with COVID‐19 infections and mortality. Some data indicate that air pollution can play an important role in the airborne transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2. A high percentage of COVID‐19 incidences has been reported in the most polluted areas, where patients needed hospital admission. The available data also show that both short‐term and long‐term air pollution may enhance COVID‐19 severity. However, most of the studies that showed a link between air pollution and COVID‐19 infections and mortality did not consider potential confounders during the correlation analysis. Therefore, more specific studies need to be performed focusing on some additional confounders such as individual age, population density, and pre‐existing comorbidities to determine the impact of air pollution on COVID‐19 infections and deaths. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1114–1122. © 2021 SETAC KEY POINTS COVID‐19 infections and mortality are more frequent in highly air polluted areas. PM2.5 and NO2 are more closely correlated with COVID‐19 infections and mortality than other air pollutants. Air pollution can play an important role in the airborne transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2. More specific studies are needed focusing on additional confounders in exploring the interactions between air pollution and SARS‐CoV‐2 and their adverse effects on human health.