As the science of pandemic continues to mystify, deepen, and unfold, evidence grows about the role of air pollution as an important intensifying factor in the respiratory damage done by Covid-19.
Here are two developments:
1) Ongoing reports from the site Quiet Communities, about public health data. For instance:
“According to a recent Harvard study, long-term exposure to the type of pollution that GLBs produce may significantly raise the risk of death from COVID-19 (Wu, as of 4/24/20). These researchers found that a one microgram increase in concentration of fine particulates was associated with an 8% increase in risk of COVID-19 related death. Even short-term elevations in particulate matter, both fine and coarse, have been linked to acute respiratory infections, asthma, COPD, heart attacks, heart failure, and mortality (Home, 2018; Liu, 2019).
“The magnitude of the problem cannot be overstated. It is estimated that, in one hour, a single commercial GLB produces 34 million micrograms of particulate matter, much of which remains in the air for long periods (Quiet Communities, 2020; US EPA). And keep in mind that GLBs are rarely used one at a time as recommended by industry. Rather, it is common to see 2- or 3-man crews, even on small properties. And, unlike PM2.5 from power plants, traffic, and other industrial sources, PM2.5 from leaf blowers and other handheld tools is localized, highly concentrated, and produced in close proximity to airways. (Indeed, the possibility of COVID-19 spread by PM (fine and coarse) has been raised in recent studies (Setti, 2020; Lu, 2020).”
2) A Change.org petition from Florida, asking for emergency measures there to limit highly polluting blower use during the pandemic. Example:
“In addition to spreading harmful particles, the exhaust from gasoline leaf blowers combines with sunlight to produce ground-level ozone that can cause immediate respiratory symptoms and may exacerbate long-term lung disease. Other pollutants caused by gasoline leaf blowers adversely affect health, particularly for the young and elderly...
“Leaf blowers are routinely used less than 50 feet from unconsenting pedestrians, and neighboring homes and businesses…. The U.S. EPA reports that noise degrades quality of life by impairing communication and social interaction; reducing the accuracy of work, particularly complex tasks, and creating stressful levels of frustration and aggravation that last even when the noise has ceased.”