A study out of Harvard University has found people who are exposed to more air pollution have a greater risk of dying from COVID-19.
But Windsor Regional Hospital's Chief of Staff Dr. Wassim Saad points out many studies in the past have found that air pollution has a negative impact on the lungs and could lead to chronic lung conditions like asthma, COPD {Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease} and bronchitis.
He says these are early studies but admits the findings are interesting.
The study particularly looked at emissions with a main source being vehicles.
Speaking on AM800's the Afternoon News, Dr. Saad says this study is a starting point.
"The study was definitely what we call hypothesis generating meaning it is going to lead for further studies and more research, we had a meeting today to talk about research in our community because geographically we are uniquely situated," he says.
Dr. Saad says COVID-19 is a respiratory illness so this makes sense.
"The method of transmission and the first place it latches on and attacks in the body is the lungs, so if you have an underlying condition where your lungs are compromised, for whatever reason, then you are more likely to have a severe infection," he says.
Saad adds that says one thing is certain, that patients with chronic lung disease are at a higher risk of getting more severe COVID infections.
The study noted vehicle emissions cause irritations in lungs therefore, areas with high traffic volumes, such as New York, would see a larger number of COVID cases.