Air pollution linked to far higher COVID-19 death rates, study finds

New research has found a causal link between rates of air pollution and deaths from COVID-19.

The research, from Harvard University, found that even small increases in air pollution resulted in higher rates of deaths from COVID-19. Action to improve air quality therefore could have, and could still, reduce deaths from air pollution in cities across the world.

Air pollution is already well known to cause and exacerbate respiratory diseases and circulatory problems, but this new research now confirms that COVID-19 will be felt worse in areas of higher air pollution.

The research was reported widely on 8 April including in the New York Times and the Guardian.

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