Cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, experienced the highest number of Covid-19 cases and casualties between March and November 2020 owing to higher pollution levels involving PM 2.5 emission loads, says a new study. It was conducted by a team from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, IITM-Pune, National Technology Institute Rourkela and IIT-Bhubaneswar. It was recently published in the Elsevier Journal.
These emissions were mainly due to fossil fuel-based activities such as vehicular and industrial emissions, garbage burning and construction. The air has suspended particulate matter (PM). Many of these are a complex mixture of dust, pollen, soot and smoke. Of this, PM 2.5 is tiny and can invade the lung and affect the upper respiratory system, similar to Covid-19.