Impact of livestock-related air pollution on public health: A nationwide population-based study on COVID-19 in the Netherlands
. For COVID-19 hospitalization risk, associations with endotoxin (HR = 1.327, 95% CI: 1.154-1.527) diminished after adjustment for particulate matter from livestock (livestock-PM, HR = 1.052, 95% CI: 0.799-1.385). Livestock-related air pollution contributes significantly to COVID-19 risk, with livestock-PM showing stronger statistical associations, and microbial components like endotoxins providing additional independent effects. Given the large rural populations worldwide, the health impact of livestock emissions warrants greater attention. Future research should further characterize the chemical, microbial, and physical properties of livestock-PM and its associated health effects.
Authors
- Lapo Mughini‐Gras (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5420-949X)
- Roel C.H. Vermeulen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4082-8163)
- Julius T. Fricke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5672-496X)
- Jelle Zorn
- Julia Taenzer
- Mariana Simões
- Myrna Maria Theresia de Rooij
- Lidwien Anne Marie Smit
- Miriam Gerlofs-Nijland
Institutions
- Utrecht University (NL)
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (NL)
- National Library of the Netherlands (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Environment International
- Published
- 2026-04-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2026.110264
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 impact on air quality
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management