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COVID-19 and Air Pollution: A Spatial Analysis of Particulate Matter Concentration and Pandemic-Associated Mortality in the US

Author

Listed:
  • Brian H. Bossak

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424, USA)

  • Samantha Andritsch

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424, USA)

Abstract

In 2019, a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was first reported in Wuhan, China. The virus causes the disease commonly known as COVID-19, and, since its emergence, it has infected over 252 million individuals globally and taken the lives of over 5 million in the same time span. Primary research on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 focused on understanding the biomolecular composition of the virus. This research has led to the development of multiple vaccines with great efficacy and antiviral treatments for the disease. The development of biomedical interventions has been crucial to combating this pandemic; additionally, environmental confounding variables that could have exacerbated the pandemic need further assessment. In this research study, we conducted a spatial analysis of particulate matter (PM) concentration and its association with COVID-19 mortality in the United States. Results of this study demonstrate a significant positive correlation between PM concentration levels and COVID-19 mortality; however, this does not necessarily imply a causal relationship. These results are consistent with similar studies in Italy and China, where significant COVID-19 cases and corresponding deaths were exhibited. Furthermore, maps of the data demonstrate clustering of COVID-19 mortality which suggest further investigation into the social determinants of health impacting the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian H. Bossak & Samantha Andritsch, 2022. "COVID-19 and Air Pollution: A Spatial Analysis of Particulate Matter Concentration and Pandemic-Associated Mortality in the US," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:1:p:592-:d:718202
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zlatev, Zahari & Moseholm, Lars, 2008. "Impact of climate changes on pollution levels in Denmark," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 217(3), pages 305-319.
    2. Smriti Mallapaty, 2020. "The coronavirus is most deadly if you are older and male — new data reveal the risks," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7823), pages 16-17, September.
    3. Brian H. Bossak & Catrina A. Turk, 2021. "Spatial Variability in COVID-19 Mortality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-7, May.
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    1. Norma Fuentes-Mayorga & Alfredo Cuecuecha Mendoza, 2023. "The Most Vulnerable Hispanic Immigrants in New York City: Structural Racism and Gendered Differences in COVID-19 Deaths," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-21, May.

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