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This study investigates empirically how air pollution in earlier periods as measured by three air pollutants, namely NO₂, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 may have affected the spread and fatality of COVID-19 in 31 European countries. It is common knowledge that long term exposure to high air pollution levels leads to many health problems especially related to lung diseases. This study uses panel data with fixed effects to examine the relationship between previous exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 new cases and COVID-19 deaths. Air pollution can greatly affect the health and well being of people, as it can lead to many health problems especially related to lung problems.

The findings show that previous air pollution levels have both acted as an important factor in explaining the COVID-19 spread and its high fatality rate. Specifically, the pollutants used in this study are local pollutants stemming mainly from burning fuel and they are extremely dangerous for people’s health, as they destroy the respiratory system. That allows COVID19 to infect people easier as they are more vulnerable, leading to a more rapid spread of the virus which is also accompanied by more disastrous results, as people are unable to defeat the virus something that might also lead to a faster death.