Past and current air pollution exposure around the world is worsening the unfolding COVID-19 epidemic. Millions of people were already suffering from chronic diseases and disabilities or undergoing treatments like chemotherapy because of their past exposure to air pollution, and this is making them more vulnerable to the current pandemic.

COVID-19 is a new disease and much remains uncertain or unknown, but what we already know is that high levels of air pollution affect the natural defenses of the body against airborne viruses.