This paper investigates the correlation between the high level of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lethality and the atmospheric pollution in Northern Italy. Indeed, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna are Italian regions with both the highest level of virus lethality in the world and one of Europe's most polluted area. Based on this correlation, this paper analyzes the possible link between pollution and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome and eventually death. We provide evidence that people living in an area with high levels of pollutant are more prone to develop chronic respiratory conditions and suitable to any infective agent. Moreover, a prolonged exposure to air pollution leads to a chronic inflammatory stimulus, even in young and healthy subjects. We conclude that the high level of pollution in Northern Italy should be considered an additional co-factor of the high level of lethality recorded in that area.

中文翻译：

---

在意大利北部，是否可以将大气污染视为导致SARS-CoV-2极高致死率的辅助因素？

本文调查了意大利北部严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）致死率与大气污染之间的相关性。的确，伦巴第和艾米利亚·罗马涅（Emilia Romagna）是意大利地区，病毒杀伤力既是世界最高水平，又是欧洲污染最严重的地区之一。基于这种相关性，本文分析了污染与急性呼吸窘迫综合征发展以及最终死亡之间的可能联系。我们提供的证据表明，生活在污染物含量高的地区的人们更容易发展为慢性呼吸道疾病，并且适合任何感染因素。此外，长时间暴露在空气污染中也会导致慢性炎症刺激，即使在年轻健康的受试者中也是如此。