BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/FOX58) — The non-profit, the Public Health Institute in Oakland did a study for the entire state of California. They found that people in counties with the worst air quality were more susceptible to getting COVID or dying from it.

"We found that those people compared to the cleanest areas of the state, they were at 20% higher of getting a COVID infection and 51% higher of dyeing than those living in the cleaner areas of the state," Dr. Paul English, Director of the Tracking California program at the Public Health Institute, said.

Dr. English says the areas that has the worst air quality like, Kern, Tulare, Fresno and parts of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties had particulate matter levels 9 times higher than the coastal counties.

Particulate matter, a harmful substance that can penetrate into your lungs and is commonly linked to cardiovascular issues, including COVID.

"We're actually looking at fine particulate matter, which is PM2.5 and this is the type of particulate matter that penetrate deep into the lungs," Dr. English, said.

Particulate matter is caused from mobility sources like traffic and agricultural equipment.

According to the Kern County Public Health Department, COVID-19 dashboard, as of Tuesday, there's been nearly 273,000 total resident cases, nearly 262,000 recovered/presumed residents and nearly 2,500 resident deaths.

Jamie Holt with the Valley Air District says based on the topography, particulate matter is always an issue in Central California.

"Particulate matter is one of the issues we face here in the San Joaquin Valley. We are a valley, we're surrounded all sides by mountains, there's a climate that creates an inversion layer, which basically traps pollution," Holt, said.

Holt says this shouldn't scare you from living in the Central Valley or force you to move away. She says just be cautious, if you have pre-existing conditions talk to your doctor and learn what you need to protect yourself from the impact of pollution.