Embedded Files
Key Personnel
Sung Kyun Park, Principal Investigator
Howard Hu, Co-Investigator
Habyeong Kang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Peidi Zhou, Masters Student
Among middle-aged and older adults in the US, higher cadmium burdens are associated with higher mortality from influenza or pneumonia. This raises the possibility that cadmium may worsen outcomes from COVID-19 infections.
Among middle-aged and older adults in the US, higher cadmium burdens are associated with higher mortality from influenza or pneumonia. This raises the possibility that cadmium may worsen outcomes from COVID-19 infections.
"Environmental Cadmium and Influenza-related Mortality in NHANES: An Environment-Infectious Disease Interaction Study with Implications for Strategies for Reducing COVID-19-related Morbidity and Mortality"
The goal of this study is to examine the association of cadmium burden with mortality related to influenza or pneumonia in U.S. adults which can have implications for identifying modifiable environmental risk factors (e.g., cadmium) predisposing individuals with COVID-19. This project was funded through the Michigan Center on Lifestage Environmental Exposures and Disease (MLEEaD).
High levels of cadmium, a chemical found in cigarettes and in contaminated vegetables, are associated with higher death rates in patients with influenza or pneumonia—and may increase the severity of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, according to a new study
image from Health Day
High Blood Levels of Cadmium May Be Tied to Worse COVID-19
Old age and chronic health conditions aren't the only risk factors for serious COVID-19 infection. Researchers say people with high levels of the heavy metal cadmium may also have higher odds of severe disease during the pandemic.
PUBLICATIONS
Park SK, Sack C, Sirén MJ, Hu H. Environmental cadmium and mortality from influenza and pneumonia in U.S. adults. Environ Health Perspect 2020;128:127004.
Park SK, Hu H. Response to “Comment on ‘Environmental Cadmium and Mortality from Influenza and Pneumonia in U.S. Adults’”. Environ Health Perspect 2021;129:48004.
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