Higher levels of cadmium have been associated with higher mortality rates in patients with influenza and pneumonia. Recently, there has been a link between higher cadmium levels and increased severity of COVID-19 according to a newly published study in Environmental Health Perspectives. Researchers from U-M, the University of Southern California and the University of Washington collaborated in this investigation.
"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.
The long-term exposure to cadmium via smoking or environmental mechanisms may pose a significant risk for individuals lung defense. Higher levels are lowering the immunity capacity at the site of the lungs as these respiratory viruses begin to attack.
"The associations we found need to be verified in other populations and also studied with respect to cadmium's potential impact on COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality," said senior author Howard Hu, professor and chair of USC's Department of Preventive Medicine and an occupational/environmental physician.
"Unfortunately, the human body finds it much more difficult to excrete cadmium than other toxic metals, and its presence in many nutritious foods means it is critical to continue reducing sources of environmental pollution that contribute to its presence in air, soil, and water."