Why have some people developed Covid-19 and others not? While this question remains open to debate, Spanish researchers* are putting forward a new explanation. ” We have shown that individual levels of certain environmental pollutants increase the risk of infection and the risk of developing the disease explains Dr. Miquel Porta, one of the main authors of the study.
To achieve these results, the researchers used frozen blood samples taken in 2016 from 240 people from the population of Barcelona. They analyzed the relationship between blood levels of organic pollutants and chemical elements with the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the same individuals in 2020-2021.
It appears that people with higher blood levels of certain pollutants had a higher risk of being infected and developing the disease. And this risk was all the greater with certain substances: DDD and DDE (derivatives of the pesticide DDT), lead, thallium or even benzofluoranthene and manganese.
« High levels of thallium, ruthenium and lead were associated with a higher risk of infection “, explain the authors. ” These pollutants enter our bodies through multiple routes, from electronic devices to foods used in intensive farming. “, conclude the researchers. ” If the associations are confirmed as causal, risk control policies are essential ».
* Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM-Hospital de Mar) – Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).
Source : Environmental Research.