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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Guardian: Coronavirus detected on particles of air pollution
Exclusive: Scientists examine whether this route enables infections at longer distanceshttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/24/coronavirus-detected-particles-air-pollution
Coronavirus has been detected on particles of air pollution by scientists investigating whether this could enable it to be carried over longer distances and increase the number of people infected. The work is preliminary and it is not yet known if the virus remains viable on pollution particles and in sufficient quantity to cause disease.
The Italian scientists used standard techniques to collect outdoor air pollution samples at one urban and one industrial site in Bergamo province and identified a gene highly specific to Covid-19 in multiple samples. The detection was confirmed by blind testing at an independent laboratory.
Leonardo Setti at the University of Bologna in Italy, who led the work, said it was important to investigate if the virus could be carried more widely by air pollution. I am a scientist and I am worried when I dont know, he said. If we know, we can find a solution. But if we dont know, we can only suffer the consequences.
Two other research groups have suggested air pollution particles could help coronavirus travel further in the air. A statistical analysis by Settis team suggests higher levels of particle pollution could explain higher rates of infection in parts of northern Italy before a lockdown was imposed, an idea supported by another preliminary analysis. The region is one of the most polluted in Europe.
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The Guardian: Coronavirus detected on particles of air pollution (Original Post)
Celerity
Apr 2020
OP
When scientists study this pandemic they'll likely conclude it was anthropogenic in origin.
sop
Apr 2020
#1
Already discovered NOT anthropogenic. It originated in bats; may have passed through pangolins. nt
Bernardo de La Paz
Apr 2020
#3
Initial viral load seems to be important, so a few virus particles may not cause disease
Bernardo de La Paz
Apr 2020
#2
sop
(10,177 posts)1. When scientists study this pandemic they'll likely conclude it was anthropogenic in origin.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)3. Already discovered NOT anthropogenic. It originated in bats; may have passed through pangolins. nt
sop
(10,177 posts)4. And likely disseminated by human activity, like air pollution.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)2. Initial viral load seems to be important, so a few virus particles may not cause disease
... or mild enough to be asymptomatic and probably so mild to be non-contagious, effectively. But I am only speculating.
dalton99a
(81,485 posts)5. Wuhan before the lockdown: