By Abdullahi Lukman
A new study published in PNAS reveals that both genetic predisposition and long-term exposure to air pollution significantly increase the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death.
The research, analyzing data from nearly 460,000 UK Biobank participants, highlights the combined and independent impacts of these factors.
Researchers from China and the UK found that individuals with high genetic risk and prolonged exposure to high levels of air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), had a substantially higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death, compared to those with low genetic and environmental risk.
Specifically, COVID-19 infected participants with high genetic risk and extended exposure to high levels of air pollutants had up to a 97 percent higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and a 114 percent higher risk of death.
In a COVID-naïve cohort, long-term air pollutant exposure was independently associated with increased risks of poor COVID-19 outcomes.
For each interquartile range increase in air pollution concentrations, the risk of COVID-19 infection was significantly elevated across all measured pollutants.
The study emphasizes that air pollutants interact with genetic susceptibility in both multiplicative and additive ways, influencing COVID-19 severity.
The authors recommend practical measures such as mask-wearing and limiting outdoor activities during periods of high pollution to mitigate these risks.
The findings provide critical evidence for future research on the interplay of genetics and air pollution in acute respiratory infections.
