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Impact of Short-Term Air Pollution on Respiratory Infections: A Time-Series Analysis of COVID-19 Cases in California during the 2020 Wildfire Season

Author

Listed:
  • Lilian Ouja Ademu

    (Public Policy Ph.D. Program, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA)

  • Jingjing Gao

    (Public Policy Ph.D. Program, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA)

  • Onah Peter Thompson

    (Public Policy Ph.D. Program, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA)

  • Lawrence Anebi Ademu

    (Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University Wukari, Wukari 1020, Nigeria)

Abstract

The 2020 California wildfire season coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting many counties in California, with impacts on air quality. We quantitatively analyzed the short-term effect of air pollution on COVID-19 transmission using county-level data collected during the 2020 wildfire season. Using time-series methodology, we assessed the relationship between short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and Air Quality Index (AQI) on confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 20 counties impacted by wildfires. Our findings indicate that PM 2.5 , CO, and AQI are positively associated with confirmed COVID-19 cases. This suggests that increased air pollution could worsen the situation of a health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health policymakers should make tailored policies to cope with situations that may increase the level of air pollution, especially during a wildfire season.

Suggested Citation

  • Lilian Ouja Ademu & Jingjing Gao & Onah Peter Thompson & Lawrence Anebi Ademu, 2022. "Impact of Short-Term Air Pollution on Respiratory Infections: A Time-Series Analysis of COVID-19 Cases in California during the 2020 Wildfire Season," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5057-:d:798765
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