LETTER: Lungs damaged by air pollution
A reader believes air pollution has caused damage to lungs that has allowed coronavirus to be so destructive.
First of all John Smith and Fred Lees (April 10) look away now if you have a delicate and sceptical nature. The last line in my letter of March 26 says it all ‘ air pollution will weaken the resistance of many, many millions to all illnesses’.
I am not interested whether this new coronavirus was started by bats, cats, rats or sprats, it would not have stayed so long in the system or have been so destructive if the world’s lungs were in good shape.
This new coronavirus is so deadly because it targets our very vulnerable lungs. The coronavirus that causes for instance a common cold, typically infects the nose, sinuses and throat. This new coronaviruus starts to destroy our lungs and in the ensuing battle with our immune system, blood vessels get damaged and fluid leaks into the lung system and creates an inflammation and destruction similar to pneumonia.
The figures of yearly deaths caused by polluted air vary from four million to 10 million but whatever the correct number it is an awful lot. We could shake off attacks on our respiratory systems if our lungs were strong.
As it is, the world’s lungs are being damaged by air pollution enabling the new coronavirus to get a firm grip, to stay for longer periods and thus to be spread more easily.
Roger Watts, Walsall
