Airborne Pollen Increases Risk of COVID-19

Scientists wanted to find out if there existed a demonstrable link between airborne pollen concentrations and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates after the virus's outbreak appeared to coincide with the tree pollen season. They found that pollen is a significant environmental factor that influences infection rates. //

First author Athanasios Damialis’s team of 154 researchers obtained data on airborne pollen concentrations, weather conditions, and SARS-CoV-2 infections. They took the variation in infection rates on different days and the total number of positive tests into consideration.

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Data on population density and the effects of lockdown measures were also included. The researchers also analyzed pollen data from 130 stations in 31 countries from five continents.

Findings revealed that airborne pollen could account for 44% of the infection rate variation on average. Humidity and air temperature also played a role in some cases.

Infection rates were 4% higher with every increase of 100 grains of airborne pollen per cubic meter when lockdown regulations were not established.

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German cities with concentrations of up to 500 pollen grains per cubic meter per day had an overall increase of over 20% in infection rates. However, regions with lockdown rules in effect had infection rates only half as high at comparable pollen concentrations.

High pollen concentrations are known to weaken the immune response in airways to viruses that cause colds and coughs. Infected cells send out messenger proteins (antiviral interferons) when a virus enters the body, which is the case with SARS-CoV-2. These antiviral interferons signal nearby cells to escalate defenses to keep the invaders away. Along with this, an appropriate inflammatory response is activated to fight the viruses.

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However, fewer antiviral interferons are generated when pollen grains are inhaled with the virus due to high airborne pollen concentrations, affecting the beneficial inflammatory response. Whether individuals are allergic to the different pollen types is irrelevant.

Stefani Gilles, first co-author, says, "You cannot avoid exposure to airborne pollen. People in high-risk groups should, therefore, be informed that high levels of airborne pollen concentrations lead to an increased susceptibility to viral respiratory tract infections."

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Athanasios Damialis emphasizes, "When studying the spread of SARS-CoV-2, environmental factors such as pollen must be taken into account. Increased awareness of these effects is an important step in preventing and mitigating the impact of Covid-19."

To protect themselves, Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, last author, advises people at high-risk to monitor pollen forecasts over the coming months. She adds that when pollen concentrations are high, wearing a particle filtering mask can keep both the virus and pollen out of the airways.

Source-Eurekalert