Air pollution linked to higher risk of serious bacterial infections in South Africa

A new study reveals that higher levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution in South Africa increase the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), with effects varying by age and bacterial strain. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, examined 59,017 cases recorded between 2005 and 2023, showing that air pollution, temperature, and humidity influence the risk and timing of the disease. At a weekly average PM2.5 concentration of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, the cumulative risk of IPD increases by about 3.4% over the following eight weeks.