Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Particulate Matter Exposure: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Particulate matter (PM) exposure causes millions of deaths annually and is linked to respiratory infections like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
• Identifying modifiable risk factors for high mortality diseases and exposure risks like PM is essential for reducing their impact.
• This systematic review examines the existing literature on quantified PM exposure and SARS disease outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on the spatial and temporal variation in the role of quantified particulate matter (PM) exposure in SARS disease outcomes.
• To inform future experimental studies by understanding the relationship between PM exposure and SARS.
• To explore the intersection of C19, a high mortality disease, and PM exposure.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
• Original human research studies published in English were included.
• Eligibility criteria and risk of bias analysis were applied to the initial search results.

Main Results:

• A positive association was found between elevated PM2.5 and PM10 levels and SARS-related outcomes.
• Geographic and temporal variations in the roles of both PM and C19 were observed.
• Out of 906 initial searches, 46 studies met eligibility criteria, with 41 showing high risk of bias.

Conclusions:

• C19 is a global health crisis characterized by high mortality and resource intensity.
• Particulate matter exposure represents another significant global health challenge.
• Understanding the role of PM in relation to C19 is vital for developing interventions to prevent future viral infection outbreaks.