Researchers from CNRS and Inserm relied on pollution measurements from 32 cities and regions in six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom), including Paris, between 2020 and 2022.
Higher mortality during pollution peaks
The study shows higher mortality levels during pollution peaks. Thus, when the level of fine particles reaches 45 micrograms per cubic meter, the mortality rate of Covid-19 is multiplied by five. A level reached in Paris and Lombardy in particular. Then, mortality increases by 10% per additional cubic meter.
Naturally, mortality has tended to decrease over time, as the authorities have improved the management of the epidemic, including lockdowns and vaccination. Researchers say that during the first phase of rapid spread of the epidemic, mortality jumped by about 20% per microgram per cubic meter following pollution peaks. It still progressed by 10% at each peak between May 2020 and May 2021, and by around 5% after the massive deployment of vaccination.
Full article (Fr) : Le Journal Du Dimanche