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Is Environmental Pollution Associated with an Increased Number of COVID-19 Cases in Europe?

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  • Javier Cifuentes-Faura

    (Department of Financial Economics and Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain)

Abstract

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented crisis, resulting in a global pandemic with millions infected and dying. Given the importance given to sustainability and the reduction in pollutant gases in recent years, the main objective of this study was to determine whether pollutant emissions are associated with an increased number of COVID-19 cases in Europe. Other demographic variables that may have an impact on the number of coronavirus cases, such as population density, average age or the level of restrictive policies implemented by governments, are also included. It has been shown that the emission of carbon monoxide pollutant gases and pollutant emissions from transport positively affect the incidence of COVID-19, so that the sustainable policy implemented in recent years in Europe should be reinforced, and tougher sanctions and measures should be imposed when pollution thresholds are exceeded.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Cifuentes-Faura, 2022. "Is Environmental Pollution Associated with an Increased Number of COVID-19 Cases in Europe?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-7, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:703-:d:720553
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    References listed on IDEAS

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