COVID-19 Harvard Study Shows How Serious the Air We Breathe Really Is

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, a connection between air pollution and COVID-19 severity was likely, our team at BreezoMeter covered this story as early as February and kept updating what we knew as new information emerged. This connection is no longer ‘suspected’.

In the first study of its kind, a group of scientists at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health have confirmed a dramatic association between long-term air pollution exposure and the likelihood of dying from COVID-19. 

Specifically, the researchers found that a one-unit increase (1 ug/m3) in long-term average exposure to fine particulate matter was associated with a 15% increase in COVID-19 mortality rate on average.

This connection is so strong that even a slight increase in exposure to particulate matter levels over time can worsen a person’s likelihood to survive COVID-19. 

In the coming weeks, months and years, it will be more important than ever for all of us to stay aware of the air we breathe. Long-term air pollution exposure is not something we can ignore the impact of, even if the impact for some people will be delayed (some sensitive groups are also at extreme risk from short-term air pollution exposure).

It’s unlikely the pollution problem in terms of emissions will be solved overnight, but by keeping up to date with real-time air quality information where they are, everyone can take steps to better manage the air they breathe on a daily basis. The time to become aware is now.

Read our full write up here.