Is chemical exposure present in informal work associated with Sars-CoV-2 infection?
Rev. saúde pública (Online)
;
57(supl.1): 11s, 2023. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1442143
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of covid-19 symptoms between informal home-based workers and a control group and to assess the association of these cases with blood elements concentrations and other relevant risk factors for Sars-Cov-2 infection. METHODS Welders chemically exposed to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (n = 26) and control participants (n = 25) answered questionnaires on adherence to social distancing and signs and symptoms of the disease for five months during the covid-19 pandemic. After follow-up, covid-19 serology tests were performed on a subsample of 12 chemically exposed workers and 20 control participants. Before the pandemic, PTE concentrations in blood (As, Mn, Ni, Cd, Hg, Sb, Sn, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were measured by ICP-MS. RESULTS The chemically exposed group had higher lead and cadmium levels in blood (p < 0.01). The control group presented lower adherence to social distancing (p = 0.016). Although not significant, welders had a 74% greater chance of having at least one covid-19 symptom compared with control participants, but their adherence to social distancing decreased this chance by 20%. The use of taxis for transportation was a risk factor significantly associated with covid-19 symptoms. CONCLUSION The lower adherence to social distancing among the control group greatly influences the development of covid-19. The literature lacks data linking exposure to PTEs and Sars-Cov-2 infection and/or severity. In this study, despite chemical exposure, working from home may have protected welders against covid-19, considering that they maintained greater social distancing than control participants.
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Occupational Exposure
/
Chemical Compound Exposure
/
Informal Sector
/
Physical Distancing
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Qualitative research
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. saúde pública (Online)
Journal subject:
Sa£de P£blica
Year:
2023
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Centro Universitário Faculdade de Medicina do ABC/BR
/
Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas de São Paulo/BR
/
Universidade Federal de São Paulo/BR
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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