Fig. 4.

Relationship between particulate matter (PM) air pollution, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and COVID-19 prognosis and a potential therapy for the prevention and treatment of disease. PM air pollution largely targets the lung, triggering signaling pathways that have also been found to be caused by SARS-CoV-2. These signals include the release of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and calcium-release activation calcium (CRAC) channels and a consequent rise in thrombotic events. Patients who already experience this response may be at risk for a higher severity of COVID-19 disease and increased risk of mortality. Figure from Menendez in Aging. 2020 under the Creative Commons license (Menendez, 2020).