More must be done to protect global health by battling the threat of air pollution – as a new study emerges linking long-term exposure to air pollution with increased Covid-19 risks, say health experts.
They say that the findings have once again highlighted the importance of promoting a healthier environment as it has an inseparable connection with health.
Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming from the Social and Preventive Medicine Department, Medicine Faculty, Universiti Malaya, said based on the existing evidence on environment and health, air pollution is recognised as a leading problem for public health and a major environmental health problem around the world.
“Air pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and early death in the world.
“It has been associated with at least five million premature deaths every year.
It’s been linked to at least five million avoidable deaths annually.
“Everyone is affected by air pollution, but the poor and vulnerable, minorities, and the marginalised bear the heaviest burden of disease,” she stated when reached.
Moy was contacted to provide commentary on a recent study conducted by the Boston-based non-profit research organisation Health Effects Institute (HEI) and published on November 13. The study discovered a connection between long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution and negative health effects associated with Covid-19.
The study focused on five outdoor air pollutants: fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5 (particles of 2.5 microns or smaller), coarse particulate matter, also known as PM10 (particles of 10 microns or smaller), black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. Researchers followed 3.7 million adults in Denmark during the Covid-19 pandemic between March 2020 and April 2021.
A micron is one millionth of a metre. Particulate matter, or PM10, can enter the lungs through inhalation and cause harmful health effects.
According to their findings, prolonged exposure to PM2.5, PM10, black carbon, and nitrogen dioxide was linked to higher risks of Covid-19 incidence, hospitalisations, and deaths.
There is no correlation between ozone exposure and the incidence of Covid-19, according to research.
Dangers of elevated The highest rates of hospitalisation and Covid-19 incidence were associated with exposure to nitrogen dioxide, which is mostly produced by burning fossil fuels, particularly in automobiles.
However, exposure to fine particulate matter, which has several major sources such as fuel combustion, wildfires, and agricultural and industrial activities, was associated with the highest risk of Covid-19 mortality.
The study found that the populations with lower socioeconomic status and older adults were more susceptible to catching Covid-19.
According to Moy, exposure to air pollution can result in a variety of acute and chronic illnesses that can affect people at any stage of life, from early childhood to old age.
Dangers of elevated The highest rates of hospitalisation and Covid-19 incidence were associated with exposure to nitrogen dioxide, which is mostly produced by burning fossil fuels, particularly in automobiles.
However, exposure to fine particulate matter, which has several major sources such as fuel combustion, wildfires, and agricultural and industrial activities, was associated with the highest risk of Covid-19 mortality.
The study found that the populations with lower socioeconomic status and older adults were more susceptible to catching Covid-19.
According to Moy, exposure to air pollution can result in a variety of acute and chronic illnesses that can affect people at any stage of life, from early childhood to old age.
According to her, practically every organ, system, and function in the human body could be affected, including the heart, brain, vascular system, lungs, metabolism, and reproduction.
“Encouraging a healthy atmosphere will undoubtedly enhance people’s health and overall wellbeing.
The most significant source of air pollution, according to Moy, is the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. She added that multi-sectoral stakeholders are needed to work towards this goal, and that controlling air pollution can be achieved at a reasonable cost by combining new technology with established laws, regulations, standards, and enforcement.
For instance, health education and awareness initiatives ought to be implemented in local communities and educational institutions.
It is hoped that children, in addition to adults, can act as change agents for their family members.
“In the meantime, companies that implement environmentally friendly measures should be given incentives, encouragement, and education,” the speaker stated.
In order to be safe, Moy advised the public to keep an eye on their local air pollution index and, if feasible, stay indoors during high readings.
The WHO reported that 80% of the disease burden is caused by unfavourable environmental conditions. Assoc Prof Dr. Mohd Hasni Jaafar from the Public Health Medicine Department, Medicine Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, cited these findings.
According to him, this includes the unclean air, unclean food, contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and messy housekeeping.
In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was believed that speaking, coughing, and sneezing could release aerosol particles or droplets of the virus.
However, a number of studies—including one conducted at the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM)—have shown that the virus can also infiltrate alveoli and spread through fine particulate matter.
Particulates can form naturally or artificially, both indoors and outdoors.
He stated, “To a certain extent, humans have a significant impact on the quality of the environment,” and that preventative measures ought to have been done long ago to guarantee a healthy environment for future generations as well as the present one.
Additionally, according to Dr. Mohd Hasni, Covid-19 is an airborne virus that can cling to fine particulate matter surfaces for up to a week.
Nearly every day, the Health Ministry advocates for a nutritious diet.
It is advised to take supplements for people who are intolerant to particular foods.
Give up drinking alcohol, vaping, and smoking.
“Suppress all stress enzymes, such as cortisol and adrenaline, with positivity and joy. These substances can disrupt our immune system if they are released at inappropriate times or at excessively high levels.
Additionally, he said, “wear a mask when you go outside, especially during this time of haze.”
