Air pollution and COVID-19: what we know, what we need to know
Hot topicsChairs: S. Belo Ravara (Covilhã, Portugal), J. Vestbo (Manchester (Greater Manchester), United Kingdom)
Aims: This symposium will present the latest evidence on the potential interaction between exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 risk. It will discuss the research needs in air pollution epidemiology in connection with the pandemic and evaluate the possibilities to use the lockdown as a tool for accountability research, that is use this global 'natural experiment' to evaluate the impact of reduced air pollution levels on health. Finally, the medium- to long-term steps to prevent an anti-environmental backlash in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic will be debated.