The effect of latitude and PM2.5 on spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in tropical and temperate zone countries

Environ Pollut. 2020 Nov;266(Pt 3):115176. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115176. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Abstract

The present work describes spreading of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the tropical and temperate zones which are explained based on insolation energy, Particulate Matter (PM2.5), latitude, temperature, humidity, Population Density (PD), Human Development Index (HDI) and Global Health Security Index (GHSI) parameters. In order to analyze the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 by statistical data based on the confirmed positive cases which are collected between December 31, 2019 to April 25, 2020. The present analysis reveals that the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in the major countries lie on the Equator is 78,509 cases, the countries lie on the Tropic of Cancer is 62,930 cases (excluding China) and the countries lie on the Tropic of Capricorn is 22,842 cases. The tropical countries, which comes between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn is reported to be 1,77,877 cases. The temperate zone countries, which are above and below the tropical countries are reported to be 25,66,171 cases so, the pandemic analysis describes the correlation between latitude, temperate zones, PM2.5 and local environmental factors. Hence, the temperature plays a pivotal role in the spreading of coronavirus at below 20 °C. The spreading of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Northern and Southern Hemispheres has inverse order against absorption of insolated energy. In temperate zone countries, the concentration of PM2.5 at below 20 μg/m3 has higher spreading rate of SARS-CoV-2 cases. The effect of insolation energy and PM2.5, it is confirmed that the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 is explained by dumb-bell model and solid/liquid interface formation mechanism. The present meta-analysis also focuses on the impact of GHSI, HDI, PD and PM2.5 on spreading of SARS-CoV-2 cases.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; PM(2.5).; SARS-CoV-2; Tropical countries.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • China
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Particulate Matter
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Particulate Matter