Spatial analysis of COVID-19 and traffic-related air pollution in Los Angeles
Jonah Lipsitt, Alec M. Chan‐Golston, Jonathan Liu, Jason Su, Yifang Zhu, Michael Jerrett
Abstract
• Environmental factors such as air pollution may contribute to Covid-19 incidence and death. • This study investigates whether air pollution relates to Covid-19 incidence and mortality in neighborhoods of Los Angeles. • Los Angeles is a global epicenter for the pandemic with 1,105,989 cases to date. • Findings suggest that chronic exposure to nitrogen dioxide exerts large effects on Covid-19 disease incidence and mortality. • Higher levels of air pollution in neighborhoods with high proportions of Latinx and Black people. • Higher pollution may explain why these groups suffered disproportionately from the pandemic.
Topics & Concepts
Air pollutionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicEnvironmental healthIncidence (geometry)Pollution2019-20 coronavirus outbreakGeographySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)MedicineDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)EcologyBiologyOpticsVirologyPathologyPhysicsAir Quality and Health ImpactsClimate Change and Health ImpactsCOVID-19 impact on air quality