FIGURE 1.

Patterns of air pollutants and SARS‐CoV‐2 interaction. Air pollution may contribute to COVID‐19 pandemic by 1) rendering people more susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection through impaired mucosal permeability and/or in the long term increased individual susceptibility to develop chronic diseases putting COVID‐19 patients at higher risk of severe COVID‐19 events and death; 2) augmenting the risk of exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2. Once in the air, SARS‐CoV‐2 can either be carried by fine particles or mix with secondary ultrafine aerosols. O_3, Ozone; NO_2, Nitrogen dioxide; PM: Particulate matter; ↘, diminution