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Influence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances on Occurrence of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Zygmunt F Dembek1, Robert A Lordo1

  • 1Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH 43201, USA.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|May 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Higher polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) blood levels correlate with increased COVID-19 incidence in older populations. Early-life PFAS exposure may lead to long-term health issues, including reduced disease resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are linked to immunosuppression and reduced vaccine efficacy.
  • The association between PFAS exposure and COVID-19 risk, particularly across different age groups, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between blood PFAS levels and COVID-19 incidence across various age demographics.
  • To identify populations with differing PFAS exposure levels and correlate them with COVID-19 occurrence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent PFAS population studies and summarization of age and gender results.
  • Acquisition of geographically corresponding COVID-19 incidence data for North Carolina, Ohio, and New Jersey.
  • Analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 databases for national incidence data by age group.

Main Results:

  • A general trend of higher PFAS blood levels was observed in older age groups.
  • Younger age groups exhibited fewer COVID-19 cases.
  • Highest levels of both PFAS exposure and COVID-19 incidence were found in the oldest populations.

Conclusions:

  • While causality is not established, a correlation exists between higher PFAS levels and increased COVID-19 incidence in older individuals.
  • PFAS exposure, potentially starting early in life, may contribute to long-term health effects like decreased antibody response and reduced disease resistance.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the implications of PFAS exposure on infectious disease susceptibility.

Keywords:
COVID-19PFASPFOAPFOSpolyfluoroalkyl substances

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