Louise Douillet, edited by Laura Laplaud
In a CNRS study published earlier this month, two researchers specializing in air pollution issues showed that the most polluted cities in Western Europe are those that have experienced the highest death rate during the Covid-19 epidemic.
In a CNRS study published earlier this month, two researchers specializing in air pollution issues showed that the most polluted cities in Western Europe are those that have experienced the highest death rate during the Covid-19 epidemic.
Two curves overlap
In Paris, in the spring of 2020: the mortality curves for Covid-19 and those for air pollution overlap. “The more we have peaks in fine particle pollution, the more we will have in the week following a very strong increase in mortality linked to activity”, explains Jean-Baptiste Bernard, research director at the CNRS, at the origin of this study.
“On the other hand, when the peak of pollution will stop, one to two weeks later we see a significant drop in mortality. This phenomenon of evolution of activity in relation to pollution seems universal.”
The phenomenon is confirmed in Europe
In Paris, as in 31 other cities in Western Europe, the phenomenon is confirmed and can even be explained scientifically. “Pollution has allowed the Covid to enter people’s lungs and that’s where the Covid is doing damage. There is an increased penetration of the virus because the mucous membranes are weakened by the pollution”, assures Isabella Annesi-Maesano is a research director at Inserm.
+10% mortality per microgram per cubic meter of additional fine particles: researchers are calling on public authorities to act as quickly as possible to reduce pollution levels in large cities.