The Effect of Air Pollution on Covid-19 Deaths

With the cooling of the weather, stoves and heaters began to be burned across the country, and coats began to take their place on the hanger. Air pollution accompanying the cold also came to the fore again. A recent academic study conducted in Istanbul drew attention to the effect of air pollution on COVID-19 deaths.

Although the rate of Covid-19 cases has decreased with increasing vaccination rates, the pandemic continues to affect the world. According to the current coronavirus table of the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 235 million cases have been detected to date, while nearly 5 million people have died due to the pandemic. Online PR Service B2Press analyzed the data on air pollution caused by the winter cold, which is increasingly felt, within the framework of the pandemic. B2Press, which deals with a current academic research on this subject, announced that deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic in Istanbul are related to air pollution, as well as age, socioeconomic status and number of households. The research, titled "The Effect of Air Pollution and Socioeconomic Level on Deaths Due to Covid-19 in Istanbul" published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Pollution Research, showed that polluted air leads to a further increase in the risk of death from COVID-19.

Air pollution causes 7 million premature deaths

According to the Greenpeace Air Pollution Perception Survey, which is analyzed by the Online PR Service B2Press, which provides press release distribution services, 10 out of 4 people think that air pollution is the biggest environmental problem in our country, while Turkey ranks 46th in the world air pollution ranking. According to the Health and Environment Association (HEAL) report, while Turkey generates 56% of its electricity from fossil fuels and 37% from coal, experts say that the intense air pollution created by coal-based electricity generation poses a great risk to public health. As a matter of fact, according to the data announced by the World Health Organization, air pollution is seen as the biggest environmental threat to human health on a global scale and causes the premature death of 7 million people in the world every year. Among the effects of air pollution on human health, as well as lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, respiratory tract; cancer; including cardiovascular diseases.

Air pollution is not only risky for over 65s

Experts say exposure to air pollution damages the respiratory system, reducing resistance to viral and bacterial infections. While air pollution disrupts the body's natural defense against viruses, increasing the likelihood of getting diseases, it is effective in the transport of viruses. Pulmonologist Dr. B2Press reviewed. Nilüfer Aykaç and public health expert Prof. Dr. According to the academic research by Nilay Etiler, exposure to air pollutants increases the number of confirmed Covid-65 cases not only for the vulnerable group over 19, but for all age groups.

10 out of 9 people inhale the smell of coal

Coal use is quite common in many provinces in Turkey, including big cities. According to the HEAL report reviewed by Online PR Service B2Press, the region most affected by coal is the basin between Zonguldak, Çanakkale, Milas and Muğla, also called the “coal belt”. Along with most major cities, the entire Mediterranean and Black Sea coastline is heavily affected by coal. Participants in the Greenpeace survey also confirm this picture. According to the Air Pollution Perception Survey, 10 out of 9 people say they can't get fresh air or smell the smell of coal when they open the window.