Satellite-detected tropospheric nitrogen dioxide and spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Northern Italy.

摘要: Abstract Following the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) last December 2019 in China, Italy was first European country to be severely affected, with local case diagnosed on 20 February 2020. The virus spread quickly, particularly North Italy, three regions (Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna) being most affected. These accounted for >80% SARS-CoV-2 positive cases when tight lockdown established (March 8). include one Europe's areas heaviest air pollution, Po valley. Air pollution has been recently proposed as a possible risk factor infection, due its adverse effect immunity possibility that polluted may even carry virus. We investigated association between subsequent infection within these regions. collected NO2 tropospheric levels using satellite data available at Space Agency before lockdown. Using multivariable restricted cubic spline regression model, we compared prevalence rate different time points after lockdown, namely March 8, 22 April 5, 28 provinces Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna. found little up about 130 μmol/m2, while evident higher each point. Notwithstanding limitations use aggregated data, findings lend some support hypothesis high favor infection.