"Long COVID" and Its Impact on The Environment: Emerging Concerns and Perspectives

Environ Manage. 2024 Mar;73(3):471-480. doi: 10.1007/s00267-023-01914-w. Epub 2023 Dec 13.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented global health and economic crises. The emergence of long COVID-19 has raised concerns about the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infections, climate change, and the environment. In this context, a concise analysis of the potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 epidemic along with the awareness aboutenvironmental issues are realized. While COVID-19 effects in the short-term have reduced environmental air pollutants and pressures, CO2 emissions are projected to increase as the economy recovers and growth rates return to pre-COVID-19 levels. This review discusses the systematic effects of both the short-term and long-term effects of the pandemic on the clean energy revolution and environmental issues. This article also discusses opportunities to achieve long-term environmental benefits and emphasizes the importance of future policies in promoting global environmental sustainability. Future directions for growth and recovery are presented to cope with long COVID-19 epidemic along with the critical findings focussing on various aspects: waste management, air quality improvement.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Environment; Environmental Sustainability; Long COVID-19; Wastewater.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  • SARS-CoV-2