Study finds ‘forever chemicals’ can lead to severe COVID-19 cases

Dayton Daily News ^ | February 9, 2021 | Ismail Turay Jr.

[CheshireTheCat]

People with elevated levels of “forever chemicals,” a group of harmful contaminants that have been found in some area drinking water systems, are more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or die if they become infected with COVID-19, a recent Harvard University study found.

Certain elements among the contaminants, collectively known as PFAS, tend to attack the lungs, similar to the coronavirus.

The findings suggest that more studies are needed to determine if elevated exposure to such contaminants may worsen coronavirus outcomes, according to Harvard. Dr. Steven Burdette, medical director of infection control at Miami Valley Hospital, agrees. He called the study results an “interesting hypothesis,” but not a proven cause for more severe cases of the coronavirus.

“As we have learned in the world of COVID, it takes more than one small study, because there could be something in this population of Denmark (where the study was done) that is not being monitored or detected as to why some of these folks had more severe disease,” said, Burdette, who is also a professor of internal medicine and director of the Infectious Disease Fellowship Program at Wright State University.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ― or PFAS ― are a group of manmade chemicals that can affect pregnancy, the kidneys and liver, increase cholesterol levels, decrease vaccine response in children and cause some forms of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dubbed forever chemicals for their longevity, the contaminants were once widely used in manufacturing, carpeting, upholstery, food packaging, and other commercial and military uses...

[CheshireTheCat]

This could explain why NJ had such a problem with the 'rona.