A 2-YEAR FOLLOW UP ON PM2.5 EXPOSURE AND COVID-19 MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY

Casey Mace Firebaugh; Tishra Beeson; Debra Rich; Yasmin Vivana Barrios; Amie Wojtyna

doi:10.32435/envsmoke.20225219-23

Authors

Casey Mace Firebaugh Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8015-0022
Tishra Beeson Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA
Debra Rich Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA
Yasmin Vivana Barrios Yakima Health District, Yakima, Washington, USA
Amie Wojtyna Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0863-0747

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32435/envsmoke.20225219-23

Keywords:

PM 2.5, Air Quality, COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: A previous study was conducted to examine the relationship between poor air quality in the form of PM2.5 exposure and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Yakima County, Washington (USA). Results showed there was a significant correlation (p<0.05) between PM2.5 exposure and COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality in the 12-day lag analysis, however it was not clear if this association remains consistent over time. The purpose of this study was to analyze a second year of PM2.5 exposure and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in a population significantly impacted by poor air quality (PM2.5) and high COVID-19 morbidity to determine whether the findings of the previous study could be confirmed. Methods: A 12-day lag analysis correlating PM2.5 levels and county-level COVID-19 case counts, hospitalization, and mortality was conducted using Pearson correlation between the period of February 1, 2021 and December 20, 2021 in Yakima, County, Washington, USA. Results: PM2.5 was found to be significantly correlated (p<.011) to COVID-19 morbidity (r = 0.38), hospitalization (r = 0.41), and mortality (r = 0.18). Discussion: This study expands upon and confirm previous preliminary findings examining the association between poor air quality exposure and negative COVID-19 outcomes. Populations exposed to long-term PM2.5 may need additional safeguards from COVID-19 as they may have a higher risk of infection, hospitalization, and mortality.

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Author Biographies

Casey Mace Firebaugh, Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Central Washington University, Department of Health Science, Ellensburg, WA, USA

Tishra Beeson, Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Debra Rich, Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Yasmin Vivana Barrios, Yakima Health District, Yakima, Washington, USA

Yakima Health District, Yakima, Washington, USA

Amie Wojtyna, Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

Central Washington University, Department of Health Sciences, Ellensburg, Washington, USA

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