<s>[INST] The next text is a question of a member of the European parliament:"Following an Italian study which mentioned the possibility that pollution of the air with particulates might contribute to the spread of COVID-19, an American study has for the first time established a link between such pollution and the lethality of COVID-19.The researchers demonstrate that, among patients who have died since 4 April 2020 in the USA, the mortality rate was higher among those exposed to PM 2.5 particulates for around 15 years.Their report goes on to state that an increase of 1µg/m3 in the concentration of PM 2.5 particulates in the air raises the mortality rate by 15%.However, the study does not yet make it possible to identify the direct or indirect role of pollution either in making people more sensitive to the virus or in promoting cardiovascular or lung diseases which then increase the risk factor.Bearing in mind possible future health crises similar to the one caused by COVID-19, will the Commission contribute to research seeking to establish a link between air pollution and the development of pandemics that affect the respiratory system?"
Analyze carefully the text and assign it to the most relevant policy area among those listed below. Do not explain your answer and return only a number.
Policy area numbers: 1 = Macroeconomics
2 = Civil Rights, Minority Issues and Civil Liberties
3 = Health
4 = Agriculture and Fisheries
5 = Labour, employment and pensions
6 = Education
7 = Environment
8 = Energy
9 = Immigration
10 = Transportation
12 = Law and Crime
13 = Social welfare
14 = Regional and Urban issues and Planning
15 = Banking, finance and domestic commerce issues
16 = Defence
17 = Space, science, technology, and communications issues
18 = Foreign trade
19 = International affairs and foreign aid
20 = Governance and government
21 = Public Lands, Water Management and Territorial Issues
23 = Culture and media
[/INST]. Answer = [7]. </s>
Following an Italian study which mentioned the possibility that pollution of the air with particulates might contribute to the spread of COVID-19, an American study has for the first time established a link between such pollution and the lethality of COVID-19.The researchers demonstrate that, among patients who have died since 4 April 2020 in the USA, the mortality rate was higher among those exposed to PM 2.5 particulates for around 15 years.Their report goes on to state that an increase of 1µg/m3 in the concentration of PM 2.5 particulates in the air raises the mortality rate by 15%.However, the study does not yet make it possible to identify the direct or indirect role of pollution either in making people more sensitive to the virus or in promoting cardiovascular or lung diseases which then increase the risk factor.Bearing in mind possible future health crises similar to the one caused by COVID-19, will the Commission contribute to research seeking to establish a link between air pollution and the development of pandemics that affect the respiratory system?