The Association of High COVID-19 Cases and Mortality with Anomalous High Surface Ozone Concentration in Moscow City in Summer 2021
https://doi.org/10.22416/1382-4376-2022-32-3-18-22
Abstract
Aim: to compare statistical data on the frequency of COVID-19 and deaths from it with the ozone content in the surface atmosphere of Moscow in the summer of 2021.
Materials and methods. We used data on the frequency of daily COVID-19 cases and mortality from COVID-19 in Moscow in 2020–2021 published by Rospotrebnadzor. Data on the ozone content in the surface layer of the atmosphere were obtained by an automatic monitoring station using a chemiluminescent analyzer.
Results. The waves of high frequency of COVID-19 cases and mortality from COVID-19 in Moscow in the summer of 2021 were compared with abnormally high concentrations of ozone in the surface atmosphere of the megalopolis. Variations of these parameters were found to be markedly correlated. The coefficients of correlation of the COVID-19 cases and mortality with the concentration of ground-level ozone were 0,59 (p < 0.01) and 0.60 (p < 0.01), respectively.
Conclusion. The observed noticeable relationship may be due to the combined pathological effect of high concentrations of ozone and the SARS-CoV-2 on the respiratory and circulatory organs, which can lead to both easier transmission of infection and a more severe course of the disease with increased mortality.
About the Authors
E. V. Stepanov
Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Evgeny V. Stepanov — Dr. Sci. (Phys. & Math.), Prof., Head of department
119991, Moscow, Vavilova str., 38
V. V. Andreev
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Viktor V. Andreev — Cand. Sci. (Phys. & Math.), Sciences, Associ. Prof., Deputy Director of the Institute of Physics and Technology
117198, Moscow, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6
D. V. Chuprov
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Denis V. Chuprov — senior lecturer
117198, Moscow, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6
V. T. Ivashkin
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Vladimir T. Ivashkin — Dr. Sci. (Med.), RAS Academician, Prof., Departmental Head, Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases, N.V. Chief of Vasilenko Clinic of Internal Disease Propaedeutics, Gastroenterology and Hepatology
119435, Moscow, Pogodinskaya str., 1, bld. 1
References
1. Gujral H., Sinha A. Association between exposure to airborne pollutants and COVID-19 in Los Angeles, United States with ensemble-based dynamic emission model. Environ Res. 2021;194:110704. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110704
2. Han Y., Zhao W., Pereira P. Global COVID-19 pandemic trends and their relationship with meteorological variables, air pollutants and socioeconomic aspects. Environ Res. 2022; 204:112249 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112249
3. Conticini E., Frediani B., Caro D. Can atmospheric pollution be considered a co-factor in extremely high level of SARS-CoV-2 lethality in Northern Italy? Environ Pollut. 2020;261:114465. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114465
4. Marquès M., Domingo J.L. Positive association between outdoor air pollution and the incidence and severity of COVID-19. A review of the recent scientific evidences. Environ Res. 2022;203:111930. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111930
5. To T., Zhang K., Maguire B., Terebessy E., Fong I., Parikh S., et al. UV, ozone, and COVID-19 transmission in Ontario, Canada using generalized linear models. Environ Res. 2021;194:110645.
6. Gough W.A., Anderson V. Changing Air Quality and the Ozone Weekend Effect during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Climate. 2022;10(3):41. DOI: 10.3390/cli10030041
7. Kolluru S.S.R., Patra A.K., Nazneen S.M., Nagendra S. Association of air pollution and meteorological variables with COVID-19 incidence: evidence from five megacities in India. Environ Res. 2021;195:110854. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110854
8. Amann M., Derwent D., Forsberg B., Hänninen O., Hurley F., Krzyzanowski M., et al. Health risks of ozone from long-range transboundary air pollution. WHO. Regional Office for Europe. 2008. URL: www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/78647/E91843.pdf
9. Bates D.V. Ambient ozone and mortality. Epidemiology. 2005;16:4:427–9. DOI: 10.1097/01.ede.0000165793.71278.ec
10. Al-Hegelan M., Tighe R.M., Castillo C., Hollingsworth J.W. Ambient ozone and pulmonary innate immunity. Immunol Res. 2011;49:173–91. DOI: 10.1007/s12026-010-8180-z
11. Chuang G.C., Yang Z., Westbrook DG, Pompilius M, Ballinger CA, et al. Pulmonary ozone exposure induces vascular dysfunction, mitochondrial damage, and atherogenesis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009;297(2):209–16. DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00102.2009
12. Bell M., Dominici F. Effect Modification by Community Characteristics on the Short-term Effects of Ozone Exposure and Mortality in 98 US Communities. Amer J Epidemiol. 2008;167(8):986–97. DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwm396
13. Peng R.D., Samoli E., Pham L., Dominici F., Touloumi G., Ramsay T., et al. Acute effects of ambient ozone on mortality in Europe and North America: results from the APHENA study. Air Qual Atmos Health. 2013;6:445–53. DOI: 10.1007/s11869-012-0180-9
14. Hollingsworth J., Kleeberger S.R., Foster W.M. Ozone and pulmonary innate immunity. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2007;4:240–6. DOI: 10.1513/pats.200701-023AW
15. Srebot V., Gianicolo E.A., Rainaldi G., Trivella M.G., Sicari R. Ozone and cardiovascular injury Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2009;7:30. DOI: 10.1186/1476-7120-7-30
16. Kotelnikov S.N., Stepanov E.V., Ivashkin V.T. Ozone Concentration in the Ground Atmosphere and Morbidity during Extreme Heat in the Summer of 2010. Doklady Biological Sciences. 2017;473:1–5. DOI: 10.1134/S001249661702010
17. Kotelnikov S.N., Stepanov E.V., Ivashkin V.T. Aboveground Ozone Concentration and the Health Status in Various Age Groups of Muscovites in Summer 2010. Izvestiya. Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics. 2019;55(11):1602–13. DOI: 10.1134/S0001433819110070
18. Ivashkin V.T., Kotelnikov S.N., Stepanov E.V. Possible increase in the severity of COVID-19 due to the combined action of the Sars-CoV2 virus and ozone with a seasonal increase in ozone content in the surface atmosphere, Ecology and Life. 2020 (In Russ.). URL: http://www.ecolife.ru/zhurnal/articles/51434/
19. URL: https://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/region/korono_virus/epid.php
20. Andreev V.V., Arshinov M.Yu., Belan B.D., Davydov D.K., Elansky N.F., Stepanov E.V., et al. Surface Ozone Concentration over Russian Territory in the First Half of 2020. Atmos Oceanic Opt. 2020;33(6):671–81. DOI: 10.1134/S1024856020060184
21. Andreev V.V., Arshinov M.Yu., Belan B.D., Belan S.B., Davydov D.K., Demin V.I., et. al. Surface Ozone Concentration in Russia in the Second Half of 2020. Atmos Oceanic Opt. 2021:34(4):347–56. DOI: 10.1134/S1024856021040035
22. SanPiN 1.2.3685-21 “Hygienic standards and requirements for ensuring the safety and (or) harmlessness of environmental factors for humans". Approved by Resolution No.2 of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation on 28.01.2021. 1142 p. (In Russ.). URL: http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/View/0001202102030022
Review
For citations:
Stepanov E.V., Andreev V.V., Chuprov D.V., Ivashkin V.T. The Association of High COVID-19 Cases and Mortality with Anomalous High Surface Ozone Concentration in Moscow City in Summer 2021. Russian Journal of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Coloproctology. 2022;32(3):18-22. https://doi.org/10.22416/1382-4376-2022-32-3-18-22
Views:
465
Email this article 
