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‘Compelling’ evidence air pollution worsens coronavirus – study

Exclusive: best analysis to date indicates significant increases in infections, hospital admissions and deathsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage
Air pollution over London. The latest study was able to rule out the ‘big city effect’ - the idea that high air pollution coincides with urban populations whose density and deprivation may make them more susceptible to the virus. Photograph: Nick Ansell/PA

There is “compelling” evidence that air pollution significantly increases coronavirus infections, hospital admissions and deaths, according to the most detailed and comprehensive analysis to date.

The research indicates that a small, single-unit increase in people’s long-term exposure to pollution particles raises infections and admissions by about 10% and deaths by 15%. The study took into account more than 20 other factors, including average population density, age, household size, occupation and obesity.

There is that dirty air makes the impact of Covid-19 worse. But the study of the outbreak in the

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