11
Viruses, Pathogens, and Other Contaminants
11.1 Introduction
Aside from pesticides and other contaminants discussed in previous chapters, other contaminants in air are also high priority to the public and regulatory agencies, including airborne viruses and pathogens. Poor air quality
is associated with at least 6 million premature deaths annually (Landrigan
et al., 2018). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the lung penetrating fraction
that is associated with adverse health conditions, including respiratory disease and death. Regulations in developed countries have led to signifcant
declines in PM2.5 and other pollutants; however, rapidly developing nations
are experiencing high levels of particulate matter in ambient air and in some
regions, levels are increasing due to the pressure to rapidly industrialize
(Figure 11.1) (Landrigan et al., 2018).
From approximately January 2020 to June 2021, at least 3.5 million people
died from the airborne severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2), which caused the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19)
worldwide (World Health Organization, 2021). There is a striking relationship between death from COVID-19 and air pollution. In the United States,
counties with historically high levels of PM2.5 had higher mortality rates due
to COVID-19: an increase in 1 µg/m 3 long-term exposure led to 11% increase
in COVID-19 mortality rate (Wu et al., 2020).
11.2 COVID-19
In early January 2020, China reported 44 cases of pneumonia from unknown
causes to the World Health Organization (2020). The initial cluster of
cases was linked to a “wet market” in Wuhan, China. Shortly thereafter, a
novel coronavirus was discovered to be the cause. It was ~80% identical to
SARS-CoV and 96% identical to a bat coronavirus (Zhou et al., 2020). In the
same study, they identifed angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) as the
DOI: 10.1201/9781003217602-11
191
Viruses, Pathogens, and Other Contaminants
11.1 Introduction
Aside from pesticides and other contaminants discussed in previous chapters, other contaminants in air are also high priority to the public and regulatory agencies, including airborne viruses and pathogens. Poor air quality
is associated with at least 6 million premature deaths annually (Landrigan
et al., 2018). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the lung penetrating fraction
that is associated with adverse health conditions, including respiratory disease and death. Regulations in developed countries have led to signifcant
declines in PM2.5 and other pollutants; however, rapidly developing nations
are experiencing high levels of particulate matter in ambient air and in some
regions, levels are increasing due to the pressure to rapidly industrialize
(Figure 11.1) (Landrigan et al., 2018).
From approximately January 2020 to June 2021, at least 3.5 million people
died from the airborne severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2), which caused the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19)
worldwide (World Health Organization, 2021). There is a striking relationship between death from COVID-19 and air pollution. In the United States,
counties with historically high levels of PM2.5 had higher mortality rates due
to COVID-19: an increase in 1 µg/m 3 long-term exposure led to 11% increase
in COVID-19 mortality rate (Wu et al., 2020).
11.2 COVID-19
In early January 2020, China reported 44 cases of pneumonia from unknown
causes to the World Health Organization (2020). The initial cluster of
cases was linked to a “wet market” in Wuhan, China. Shortly thereafter, a
novel coronavirus was discovered to be the cause. It was ~80% identical to
SARS-CoV and 96% identical to a bat coronavirus (Zhou et al., 2020). In the
same study, they identifed angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) as the
DOI: 10.1201/9781003217602-11
191