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Multiple relationships between aerosol and COVID-19: A framework for global studies.
Yaxin Cao1, Longyi Shao1, Tim Jones2
1State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining and College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
Gondwana Research : International Geoscience Journal
|February 15, 2021
Summary
This study examines Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) aerosol transmission, including human-exhaled and ambient routes. COVID-19 lockdowns significantly reduced aerosol pollution, impacting virus transmission dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Background:
- COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) is a global pandemic caused by the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2).
- Aerosols, comprising suspended particles in the atmosphere, can act as carriers for viruses, posing a significant public health concern.
- Understanding aerosol transmission is crucial for controlling the spread of respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate aerosol transmission pathways of SARS-CoV-2, differentiating between human-exhaled and ambient aerosol routes.
- To analyze the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on global aerosol pollution levels.
- To explore the relationship between aerosol quality, SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, and COVID-19 incidence.
Main Methods:
- Review and discussion of existing research on aerosol science and SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
- Analysis of global aerosol quality data in relation to COVID-19 lockdown periods.
- Examination of the potential for aerosols to act as indirect carriers of SARS-CoV-2.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 transmission via aerosols can occur through direct human exhalation or indirect dispersion via ambient aerosols.
- Ambient aerosol dispersion may up-regulate ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 expression, potentially increasing COVID-19 severity.
- COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant reductions in atmospheric pollution from traffic, industry, and combustion sources.
Conclusions:
- Aerosol transmission is a key route for SARS-CoV-2.
- Reduced aerosol pollution during lockdowns may influence SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics.
- Further research is needed on the airborne potential of SARS-CoV-2 and its infectivity in aerosols.
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