Biosecurity

Scientists in Italy find coronavirus on air pollution particles

In a preliminary study, scientists in Italy detected the coronavirus on particles of air pollution.

It is still unclear whether the virus is viable or able to cause infections when carried by pollution, according to The Guardian, which first publicized the findings on Friday.

The study has not yet been peer-reviewed, but previous studies and experts suggest the premise could be valid, and should be researched further.

If true, the virus could travel farther by air than previously assumed. It could also explain the high rate of infection in heavily polluted northern Italy.

Italy has been hard hit by the pandemic, especially its northern region. The country has confirmed over 192,000 infections and nearly 26,000 deaths.

The research was headed by Leonardo Setti from Italy’s University of Bologna. The research team detected a distinct COVID-19 gene on air pollution samples taken from an urban site, and an industrial site, in Bergamo province, near Milan.