Three airborne heavy metal pollutants zinc, chromium and vanadium could create an environment more favorable to the survival of influenza viruses, a study conducted by Taipei Medical University (TMU) found.
A team led by TMU School of Respiratory Therapy professor Chuang Hsiao-chi (莊校奇) found that the three pollutants are correlated to the survival of flu viruses, after they analyzed samples collected in Taipei from Dec. 24, 2019, to Jan. 13 last year.
The team collected airborne particles in the neighborhood of Taipei’s Changxing Street and Keelung Road, and used polymerase chain reaction tests to analyze influenza virus subtypes A, B