Association between outdoor traffic air pollutants and spread of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Modena, Northern Italy

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Italy was the first European country severely affected by SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially during wave in North of country. In particular, Modena is a city Emilia-Romagna which region entirely included Po valley, one areas characterized heaviest air pollution levels due also to its orography. Previous studies yielded at regional level suggested that higher pollutant may increase both infection and mortality. METHODS: this study, we further investigated association between exposure spread using data collected from municipality period February 2020-April 2021. We used traffic an urban quality monitoring station January 2020-January 2021, including particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen oxides (NO2 NOx), benzene, black carbon (BC). random-effects linear regression model within panel analysis over study computed beta correlation coefficients (beta) with 95% confidence interval-CI mean daily concentrations positive cases diagnosed Modena. RESULTS:We found all pollutants cases, namely for PM10 1.23 (95%CI 1.00-1.46), lower NOx (beta=0.66, 95%CI 0.56-0.75), NO2 (beta=1.95, 1.59-2.31), benzene (beta=41.41, 36.23-46.59), BC (beta=5.95, 1.19-10.72). CONCLUSIONS:Notwithstanding limitations use aggregated potential residual confounding, these findings seem support hypothesis high favor infection, or alternatively they reflect mobility number social contacts infection. KEYWORDS: Air pollution, Traffic-related, Infectious diseases, Environmental epidemiology, Exposure assessment