Italian scientists have discovered that the new coronavirus can attach to particles of pollutants in the air. They are also studying whether the virus can spread further through particles of pollutants, the Guardian reported.

Leonardo setti, an assistant professor in the Department of industrial chemistry at the University of Bologna, a famous Italian institution, led the research. Using standard techniques, the researchers collected samples of outdoor air pollution in a city and an industrial site in begamo Province, Lombardy region, northern Italy, for three consecutive weeks from February 21, and found a highly specific cause with the new coronavirus in multiple samples to prove the presence of the new coronavirus in these samples. The discovery has been verified by another independent laboratory.

According to a statistical analysis by SETI's team, parts of northern Italy are one of the most polluted areas in Europe. Before the implementation of the "closure" measures, the pollution level of air particles in these areas was high, while the infection rate of new coronavirus was also high. The findings are supported by another preliminary analysis.

However, the results of these two analyses have not been peer reviewed. But experts believe that this result is credible and can be further studied.

Two other research teams had previously speculated that air pollution particles could spread the new coronavirus particles further.

According to the report, previous studies have shown that airborne particles do contain microorganisms, which are likely to carry the virus of avian influenza, measles and foot-and-mouth disease to a considerable distance.

Source: Global Times