When we inhale the polluted air, it passes through the lungs and causes damage throughout its entire passage. This results in chronic respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, pneumonia, and others. When the particle size decreases, it has higher chances of entering into the bloodstream and affects cardiovascular system and other organs.
In the case of COVID-19 infections, researches have found that individuals with underlying conditions like high blood pressure or heart diseases or respiratory diseases to be at more risk. In a recent Harvard T.H. Chan study, it was found that there was an 11% increase in mortality from COVID-19 infection for every 1 microgram/cubic meter increase in air pollution.