The association between air pollution and COVID-19 related mortality in Santiago, Chile: A daily time series analysis
- DOI
- Language of the publication
- English
- Date
- 2021-05-08
- Type
- Article
- Author(s)
- Dales, Robert
- Blanco-Vidal, Claudia
- Romero-Meza, Rafael
- Schoen, Stephanie
- Lukina, Anna
- Cakmak, Sabit
- Publisher
- Elsevier
Abstract
Background Exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality from lung and heart disease. Research question Does short term exposure to ambient air pollution influence COVID-19 related mortality? Study design and methodology Using time series analyses we tested the association between daily changes in air pollution measured by stationary monitors in and around Santiago, Chile and deaths from laboratory confirmed or suspected COVID-19 between March 16 and August 31, 2020. Results were adjusted for temporal trends, temperature and humidity, and stratified by age and sex. Results There were 10,069 COVID-19 related deaths of which 7659 were laboratory confirmed. Using distributed lags, the cumulative relative risk (RR) (95% CI) of mortality for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in CO, NO2 and PM2.5 were 1.061 (1.033–1.089), 1.067 (1.023–1.103) and 1.058 (1.034–1.082), respectively There were no significant differences in RR by sex.. In those at least 85 years old, an IQR increase in NO2 was associated with a 12.7% (95% CI 4.2–22.2) increase in daily mortality. Conclusion This study provides evidence that daily increases in air pollution increase the risk of dying from COVID-19, especially in the elderly.
Plain language summary
Health Canada is responsible for the assessment and management of health risks to Canadians associated with exposure to air pollutants in the environment. In this study, Health Canada and collaborators in Chile assessed the risk associated with air pollutants and COVID-19 mortality. Exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality from lung and heart disease. However, it is not certain if short term exposure to ambient air pollution concentration influence COVID-19 related mortality. Using ambient air pollution (Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter) and climate data from seven air monitoring stations distributed in the nine urban centres in Santiago, Chile, along with daily deaths from laboratory confirmed or suspected COVID-19 between March 16 and August 31, 2020, an association between ambient air pollution and daily COVID-19 mortality was tested. Our findings suggest that acute increases in air pollution may be one risk factor for daily COVID-19 mortality. There were no significant differences in risk of mortality by sex, but relative risk generally increased with age. This study provides evidence that daily increases in air pollution increase the risk of dying from COVID-19, especially in the elderly. The findings of this study will benefit Canadians by providing insight into the risk factors for COVID-19 which has taken a large toll in this country and the world.
Subject
- Health,
- Health and safety