Do unhealthy industrial chemicals increase the risk of developing Covid-19?
A Danish study came to this conclusion.
Odense -
Air pollution
and some
industrial chemicals
could have a negative impact on the course of a corona infection.
This is what researchers from Denmark want to have found out.
Corona study from Denmark: air pollution could worsen the course of Covid19
"Severity of Covid-19 with increased exposure to perfluorinated alkyl compounds" is the title of the article from October 2020. According to the Federal Environment Agency,
perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are
carbon compounds that do not occur in nature, but
arise
in
chemical processes
.
Because they repel water, dirt and grease, they are often used in
textile or paper
production.
As a result, the substances get into the environment and are absorbed by humans through the air and food.
The investigation of
323
cases of
corona infection
has now shown that an increased PFAS concentration in the body also increases the risk of seriously contracting
Covid-19
.
Several
PFAS
were considered.
In particular, there is a connection with the substance
perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
.
The acid is one of the alkyl compounds described and is deposited in the
lungs
.
PFAS threat: chemical industrial waste - research recognizes Covid-19 connection
The concentration in the body of the test persons was determined by blood analyzes.
More than twice as much PFBA was found in severe Covid19 courses.
From this, the scientists concluded: Those who have more of the chemical in themselves could get more seriously ill with corona.
In addition, the concentration of PFAS in
men
, in people of Western European background and with
increasing age was
higher.
However, no connection with chronic diseases has been established.
The
Federal Environment Agency
has also
taken up
the connection with
Corona
in a publication on
PFAS
: “In some areas particularly affected by severe Covid 19 infections, there are high levels of fine dust and NO2 pollution.
Air pollutants can (partly) cause, promote and aggravate diseases of the respiratory tract.
This could mean that people in areas with high levels of air pollution react more sensitively to an infection with SARS-CoV-2 or that the disease is more severe. "
Because PFAS is also in
Germany
are a problem, the relationship between exposure and serious illness may play a role.
In the study, however, relatively low concentrations of the chemical substances were generally found, the researchers admitted.
To solidify the results, groups that are more exposed to PFAS should be studied.
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