Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown measures in Southern Spain on PM10 trace element and gaseous pollutant concentrations.

Trace element concentrations within PM10, gaseous pollutants (NO2 and SO2), and PM10 levels were studied during the Covid-19 lockdown at a regional level in Southern Spain (Andalusia). Pollutant concentrations were compared considering different mobility periods (pre-lockdown, lockdown, and relaxation) in 2020 and previous years (2013-2016). An acute decrease in NO2 levels (<50%) was observed as a consequence of traffic diminution during the confinement period. Moreover, a lower reduction in PM10 levels and a non-clear pattern for SO2 levels were observed. During the lockdown period, PM10 elements released from traffic emissions (Sn and Sb) showed the highest concentration diminution in the study area. Regarding the primary industrial sites, there were no significant differences in V, Ni, La, and Cr concentration reduction during 2020 associated with industrial activity (stainless steel and oil refinery) in Algeciras Bay. Similarly, concentrations of Zn showed the same behaviour at Cordoba, indicating that the Zn-smelter activity was not affected by the lockdown. Nevertheless, stronger reductions of Cu, Zn, and As in Huelva during the confinement period indicated a decrease in the nearby Cu-smelter emissions. Brick factories in Bailen were also influenced by the confinement measures, as corroborated by the marked decrease in concentrations of Ni, V, Cu, and Zn during the lockdown compared to that from previous years. This work has shown the baseline concentrations of trace elements of PM10, which is of great value to air quality managers in order to minimise pollution levels by applying the confinement of the population, affecting both traffic and industrial anthropogenic activities.

Why should obese youth be prioritized in COVID-19 vaccination programs? A nationwide retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The dominant effect of age on COVID-19 mortality obscures the impact of other risk factors. Although the elderly is at a greater risk of severe disease and death due to COVID-19, the interaction of obesity and age was not carefully assessed. This analysis is especially critical for prioritizing groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: Starting with 1,120,767 unvaccinated individuals registered in a Brazilian surveillance system, we selected 313,898 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 20 to 89 who had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) or diabetes, as well as individuals with no risk factors associated with severe COVID-19. Patient data were stratified by age, obesity, BMI, and comorbidities, and subsequently, subjected to crude and adjusted odds ratio, hazard ratio, and Kaplan-Meier curves. Disease outcomes were invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. FINDINGS: Obesity alone is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality and is more significant than cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Furthermore, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes increase the risk of severity and death by COVID-19 more significantly in young adults than in the elderly. When categorizing patients by obesity classes, the severity of obesity was found to be associated with a higher risk of admission to the ICU and death from COVID-19 than the non-obese young adults or elderly population. INTERPRETATION: Our findings highlight the increased risk of severe COVID-19 on the Brazilian obese youth. As SARS-CoV-2 may become a recurrent seasonal infection, future vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 should prioritize obese young individuals. FUNDINGS: This work was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (grant number 313662/2017-7 and 307356/2017-5; the São Paulo Research Foundation (grant numbers 2018/14933-2); and CAPES.