Airborne

The WHO has said the coronavirus disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with Covid-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks.

In an open letter to the agency, which the researchers plan to publish in a scientific journal next week, 239 scientists in 32 countries outlined the evidence showing smaller particles can infect people, the newspaper reported.

In a statement, Dr Abathi said while governments and businesses around the world had been co-operating to reduce the likelihood of injury from asbestos and coal dust, fugitive dust from roads and worksites could cause health issues among workers and neighbouring communities.

He said the health costs could be significant for the government, and those failing to stop the problem from occurring.

“We know that airborne particle pollution causes more than 3000 premature deaths each year in Australia,” Dr Abtahi said.