Ultraviolet A radiation and COVID-19 deaths in the USA with replication studies in England and Italy
British Journal of Dermatology https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20093Citations: 3
M. Cherrie,T. Clemens,C. Colandrea,Z. Feng,D.J. Webb,R.B. Weller,C. Dibben,
Note: UVA is strongly associated with UVB
UVA produces Nitric Oxide which has antimicrobial properties. and anitvirual properties
UVB produces Vitamin D
Items in both categories UV and Virus:
- COVID-19 deaths - 30 percent fewer if high UVA (US, etc) – Aug 2021
- 4th highest county in the US has a very low COVID-19 rate (high UV, high vitamin D)
- COVID-19 onset strongly associated with latitude in Europe (Vitamin D)– Jan 21, 2021
- UV provides the best explanation of COVID-19 variation in Italy (74 pcnt) – Nov 2020
- More UVB, less Coronavirus – including SARS-CoV-2 – Aug 2020
- Less COVID-19 at high altitude due to more Vitamin D or other possible reasons – July 2020
- Far fewer COVID-19 deaths in the summer (Europe, Canada)
- High-altitude Cusco, Peru has far lower rate of COVID-19 than others (high UVB and Vitamin D) - June 2020
- Influenza Virus aerosols killed by 10 minutes of sunlight (far faster if use UV-C) – Nov 2019
- Influenza Virus aerosols killed by 10 minutes of sunlight (faster if use UVB, UVCC– Nov 2019
- Ultraviolet light kills cold and flu viruses, and generates Vitamin D in the skin
Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Background
Understanding factors impacting deaths from COVID-19 is of the highest priority. Seasonal variation in environmental meteorological conditions affects the incidence of many infectious diseases and may also affect COVID-19. Ultraviolet (UV) A (UVA) radiation induces release of cutaneous photolabile nitric oxide (NO) impacting the cardiovascular system and metabolic syndrome, both COVID-19 risk factors. NO also inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV2.
Objectives
To investigate the relationship between ambient UVA radiation and COVID-19 deaths.
Methods
COVID-19 deaths at the county level, across the USA, were modelled in a zero-inflated negative-binomial model with a random effect for states adjusting for confounding by demographic, socioeconomic and long-term environmental variables. Only those areas where UVB was too low to induce significant cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis were modelled. We used satellite-derived estimates of UVA, UVB and temperature and relative humidity. Replication models were undertaken using comparable data for England and Italy.
Results
The mortality rate ratio (MRR) in the USA falls by 29% [95% confidence interval (CI) 40% to 15%) per 100 kJ m–2 increase in mean daily UVA. We replicated this in independent studies in Italy and England and estimate a pooled decline in MRR of 32% (95% CI 48% to 12%) per 100 kJ m–2 across the three studies.
Conclusions
Our analysis suggests that higher ambient UVA exposure is associated with lower COVID-19-specific mortality. Further research on the mechanism may indicate novel treatments. Optimized UVA exposure may have population health benefits.