High Levels of Cadmium Increase the Severity of Respiratory Infections by Pooja Shete on December 18, 2020 at 6:39 PM
Cadmium is a chemical found in cigarettes and contaminated vegetables. High levels of cadmium are associated with increased death rates in patients with influenza or pneumonia. It can also increase the severity of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
The study conducted by researchers at University of Michigan, The University of Southern California, and University of Washington is published in the journal
Environmental Health Perspectives.
According to the study both smokers and non-smokers can benefit from reduced exposure to cadmium.
Even at low levels, long term exposure to cadmium can weaken the lung s defense system. Patients having high levels of cadmium may not be able cope with an influenza virus attack.
High levels of cadmium, a chemical found in cigarettes and in contaminated vegetables, are associated with higher death rates in patients with influenza or pneumonia, research finds.
High cadmium levels may also increase the severity of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, according to the study.
“Our study suggests the public in general, both smokers and nonsmokers, could benefit from reduced exposure to cadmium,” says lead author Sung Kyun Park, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Long-term exposure to cadmium, even at low levels, may undermine our defense system in the lungs, and people with high levels of the chemical may not be able to cope with influenza virus attacks, Park says.
High blood levels of cadmium linked to worse COVID-19
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Old age and chronic health conditions aren t the only risk factors for serious COVID-19 infection.
Researchers say people with high levels of the heavy metal cadmium may also have higher odds of severe disease during the pandemic.
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Cadmium is found in cigarettes and in contaminated vegetables. Previous research has shown that long-term exposure to cadmium, even at low levels, may weaken the lungs defense system. Our study suggests the public in general, both smokers and nonsmokers, could benefit from reduced exposure to cadmium, said study co-author Sung Kyun Park.
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High levels of cadmium, a chemical found in cigarettes and in contaminated vegetables, are associated with higher death rates in patients with influenza or pneumonia and may increase the severity of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, according to a new study. Our study suggests the public in general, both smokers and nonsmokers, could benefit from reduced exposure to cadmium, said lead author Sung Kyun Park, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Long-term exposure to cadmium, even at low levels, may undermine our defense system in the lungs, and people with high levels of the chemical may not be able to cope with influenza virus attacks, Park said.
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High levels of cadmium, a chemical found in cigarettes and in contaminated vegetables, are associated with higher death rates in patients with influenza or pneumonia and may increase the severity of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, according to a new study. Our study suggests the public in general, both smokers and nonsmokers, could benefit from reduced exposure to cadmium, said lead author Sung Kyun Park, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
Long-term exposure to cadmium, even at low levels, may undermine our defense system in the lungs, and people with high levels of the chemical may not be able to cope with influenza virus attacks, Park said.