Coronavirus and fine particles, the confirmation: the atmospheric particulate carries the virus
Sars-CoV-2 has been found in fine particles and this could increase the persistence of the virus in the atmosphere. But there is no evidence that it is a third way of contagion
di Cristina Marronedi Cristina Marrone
Coronavirus e polveri sottili, la conferma: il particolato atmosferico trasporta il virus shadow
The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) announces that the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus has been found on particulate matter (PM), fine particles. “This first test opens the possibility of testing the presence of the virus on the atmospheric particulate matter of our cities in the coming months as an indicator to detect early the reappearance of the coronavirus and adopt adequate preventive measures before the start of a new epidemic”, anticipates Professor Alessandro Miani , president of Sima. «The first evidence relating to the presence of coronavirus on the particulates comes from analyzes performed on 34 PM10 samples in ambient air of industrial sites in the province of Bergamo , collected with two different air samplers for a continuous period of 3 weeks, from February 21st to March 13 “, explains Leonardo Setti , coordinator of the scientific research group together with Gianluigi De Gennaro and Miani.
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The samples were analyzed by the University of Trieste in collaboration with the laboratories of the Giuliano Isontina hospital, which verified the presence of the virus in at least 8 of the 22 days examined . Positive results were confirmed on 12 different samples for all three molecular markers, namely the E gene , the N gene and the RdRP gene , the latter highly specific for the presence of the SARS-CoV- viral RNA 2” . We can confirm that we have reasonably demonstrated the presence of viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 on the atmospheric particulate by detecting the presence of highly specific genes, used as molecular markers of the virus, in two parallel genetic analyzes “4, Setti specifies.
The persistence of the virus in the air
According to De Gennaro “this is the first evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be present on the particulate matter in ambient air, thus suggesting that, in conditions of atmospheric stability and high concentrations of PM, the infected micro-droplets containing the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 can stabilize on particles to create clusters with particulate matter, increasing the persistence of the virus in the atmosphere as already hypothesized on the basis of recent international research. The detection of the virus on dust could also be a good marker to verify its spread in indoor environments such as hospitals, offices and premises open to the public ».
A new way of contagion?
“The evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be present on the particulate matter in ambient air does not yet attest with definitive certainty that there is a third route of infection “, continues De Gennaro. “However, in the so-called Phase 2, it is necessary to take into account the need to keep particulate emissions low in order not to risk favoring the potential spread of the virus .” “It is possible that the particulate matter can facilitate the spread of the virus, it can be a transporter, but we do not know the viral load and how effective it is to really contribute to the infection” summarizes Fabrizio Pregliasco , virologist and health director of the Galeazzi hospital in Milan.
What other studies say: there is no uniqueness
Other studies have speculated that coronavirus is more lethal where there is pollution. According to an unpublished analysis of Harvard University conducted by the Italian Francesca Dominici, in the long run, a small increase in the average levels of fine dust is enough to raise mortality by 15% even if the methodology used would have gaps. Another study highlights the relationship between epidemic and fine dust . The Italian aerosol company has always reiterated that no effect of greater susceptibility to contagion to Covid-19 due to exposure to atmospheric dust has been demonstrated. In the various analyzes, there are many factors such as population density and density, international trade, industrial activities and not only air pollution , writes Sergio Harari, director of the Pneumology Operational Unit at the San Giuseppe hospital in Milan. Still many relationships are to be verified.
Housing density
Another Italian study focused on population density, released today by the Italian Society of Allergology. According to the researchers, the population density spreads the coronavirus more than the smog : Bergamo and Brescia, more densely inhabited than Verona, have been hit harder by the virus despite a similar or even lower level of smog, as in the case of the city of Bergamo.
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150 doctors have died of cv in Italy now
https://portale.fnomceo.it/elenco-dei-medici-caduti-nel-corso-dellepidemia-di-covid-19/
Interesting post. BTTT.
What other studies say: there is no uniqueness
Other studies have speculated that coronavirus is more lethal where there is pollution. According to an unpublished analysis of Harvard University conducted by the Italian Francesca Dominici, in the long run, a small increase in the average levels of fine dust is enough to raise mortality by 15% even if the methodology used would have gaps. ...
= = =
Recall reading an article, recently, about the steel dust, created by the subways, maybe ?, in NYC that the MTA operators have been aware of, for decades.
Between the steel dust and the density....did NYC ever stand a chance against this horrid virus?
Early shut down of the subways and schools wouldn’t have hurt, imo.