Impacto de la exposición ambiental prolongada a material particulado (PM2,5) en las tasa de hospitalización y de letalidad por SARS-CoV-2 en Bogotá D. C.

Introduction: The multifactorial dynamics and spatial heterogeneity of morbidity and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2 require exploring factors that allow for the understanding of this complex system.

Objective: To explore the association between PM2.5 particulate matter levels and SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization and case fatality rates.

Methodology: The spatial coverage of the 17 air quality monitoring stations (≈4 km) in Bogotá DC was determined using the Voronoi interpolation method, based on Euclidean distances. Case fatality and hospitalization rates for SARS-CoV-2 were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test in each Voronoi region, according to the days of the week (0, 1-3, 4-5, >5) with reported PM2.5 concentrations >37 µg/m3, categorized as harmful to health according to national air quality standards.

Results: In 68.8% (11) of the regions considered, the hospitalization rate was higher with prolonged exposure to PM2.5 >37 µg/m3. In the Guaymaral, Las Ferias and Suba regions, a significant increase in hospitalization and mortality rates was found as the number of days of exposure to PM2.5 >37 µg/m3 increased.

Conclusion: When considering the coverage of air quality monitoring stations in Bogotá DC, it was found that areas with prolonged exposure to PM2.5 >37 µg/m3 have higher rates of lethality and hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 in Bogotá DC, as has been described for other respiratory infections.