Analysis of Acute Exposure to Environmental Pollutants and Severity of Covid-19: Case Study in Mexico City

Abstract

Introduction: exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 particles has been associated with severity in COVID-19. Our objective was to identify the association of the severity of the COVID-19 disease with acute exposure to contamination according to the place of residence.
Methods: retrospective cross-sectional study of 89 COVID-19 patients at the "Ismael Cosío Villegas" National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, during March-May 2020. Concentrations of environmental pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and O3) were evaluated. A logistic regression model was implemented for the probability of the effect of acute exposure on COVID-19 severity and acute exposure.
Results: the exposure to PM2,5 and O3 of seriously ill patients was higher compared to the mild ones. Exposure to O3 > 0.05 ppm and O3 < 0.05 ppm was associated with lung disease (p <0.05). PM2.5 concentrations increase the probability of aggravation (p 0.04).
Conclusion: the evidence suggests a relationship between exposure to PM2.5 and severity of COVID-19. 
Keywords: COVID-19, pollution, severity, pneumonia.