Association between long-term exposure to air pollution on the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease in the French CONSTANCES cohort
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Long-term air pollution exposure has been associated with increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, few studies have used individual-level data, and even fewer serology data. We aimed to investigate the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and 1) SARS-CoV-2 infection and 2) COVID-19 disease, among adults from the French CONSTANCES population-based cohort. SARS-CoV-2 infection was assessed in May–November 2020 using ELISA test serology; COVID-19 disease was self-reported as medical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated symptoms. Annual 2019 exposures to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 (PM 2.5 ), black carbon (BC) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) were estimated using hybrid land-use regression models and assigned at pre-pandemic residential address. We estimated log-binomial risk ratios (RRs for an interquartile range increase), adjusting for individual and area-level covariates. The population included 33,974 participants, among which 1695 (4.99 %) had a SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 802 (2.8 %) reported COVID-19 disease. Exposure to PM 2.5 and NO 2 were associated with a higher probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Adjusted RRs (aRR[95 %CI]): 1.28[1.10: 1.50] for PM 2.5 , 1.21[1.07: 1.37] for NO 2 ) and COVID-19 disease (1.41[1.11: 1.79] for PM 2.5 , 1.40[1.18: 1.66] for NO 2 ). Exposure to BC was associated with a higher probability of COVID-19 disease (1.20[1.03: 1.39]) but not SARS-CoV-2 infection (1.07[0.97–1.19]). Stratified analyses showed higher risks for men, age >60, or having pre-existent chronic disease. Using individual data, long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with increased risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease. These results could help to better understand or prevent respiratory infections.
Source: Heliyon
Institutions: Inserm, École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Centre de recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Cohortes épidémiologiques en population, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôtel-Dieu de Paris, Centre de Recherche Épidémiologie et Statistique, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Institut Pierre Louis d‘Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,270
OpenAlex ID: W7126168589