High Levels of Cadmium Increase the Severity of Respiratory Infections

Higher levels of cadmium in COVID-19, pneumonia, and influenza patient increase the severity of infection and the mortality rate.

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.

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‘Higher levels of cadmium in COVID-19, pneumonia, and influenza patient increase the severity of infection and the mortality rate.’
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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.

Senior author Howard Hu, professor and chair of USC's Department of Preventive Medicine and an occupational/environmental physician said, “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."

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During the early stages of pandemic, data from Wuhan China showed that a large percentage of people dying from the COVID-19 shared a few characteristics like they were male, smokers and older.

As very less data was available to understand the association between COVID-19 and cadmium, the researchers studied the association of cadmium with other viral infections like influenza and pneumonia.

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The researchers utilized data from 1988-1994 and 1999-2006 from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Nearly 16,000 patients were evaluated by measuring cadmium level in urine, blood, and non-smokers.

According to the study, patients with cadmium levels in the 80th percentile were 15 percent more likely to die due to influenza or pneumonia as compared to those in the 20th percentile.

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In patients who had never smoked, 27 percent higher risk of mortality among those in the 80th percentile compared to the 20th percentile was seen.

These findings suggest that the public can benefit from reduced exposure to cadmium when the next pandemic occurs. This requires policy changes and cannot be done suddenly.

The researchers have suggested that smokers should quit smoking.

The major sources of cadmium in diet are rice, cereals, animal organs like kidneys and liver, soyabean, and some leafy vegetables.

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli contain low levels of cadmium.

Hu said, “This isn't a recommendation for a draconian change in lifestyle, since many of these foods are typical staples of a balanced, nutritious diet, and their overall contribution to cadmium burden is likely modest. Rather, the suggestion is to consider some shifts in choices.”

He added, "Meanwhile, epidemiologists need to focus on the issue we raised. Increased scrutiny is needed of sources of cadmium exposure and surveillance of cadmium levels in the general population, and policymakers need to work on continuing to reduce environmental cadmium pollution."

Source-Medindia