Study says air pollution played a role in early U.S. COVID-19 outbreak
Exposure to particulate matter a mixture of liquid and solid particles suspended in the air that ranges from dust to airborne transmission of viral droplets has been harmful to human health. Research led by Maria de Fatima Andrade from the University of São Paulo in Brazil found particulate matter plays a significant role in increasing coronavirus cases in cities.
The authors write: The findings support the viral transport hypothesis, i.e., virus can associate with the preexistent particulate matter in the air synergically. We conclude that PM2.5 plays a small, yet discernible, role in the COVID-19 transmission.