Our Work Air Pollution Insightplus: COVID-19 and beyond- impact of air pollution

Insightplus: COVID-19 and beyond- impact of air pollution

Air pollution is a known risk factor for a number of diseases and is associated with increased risk of mortality and chronic diseases and hospitalisations even from exposure at low doses below current national standards, writes A/Prof Vicki Kotsirilos AM. Whether air pollution is or isn’t a significant modifiable contributor to mortality associated with COVID-19 deaths, the studies and the improvement of air quality during the pandemic do remind us why we should continue to urgently do further research, tackle and tighten air pollution standards in Australia and the rest of the world.

 The article was published in InsightPlus on 15 June 2020.

 Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM is a Melbourne GP, and a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia.