Is chemical exposure present in informal work associated with Sars-CoV-2 infection?

Fernanda Junqueira Salles; Isabelle Nogueira  Leroux; Alda Neis Miranda de Araujo; Nilson Antonio Assunção; Maciel Santos Luz; Glaucia Raquel Luciano da Veiga; Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca; Fredi Alexander Diaz-Quijano; Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio

doi:10.11606/s1518-8787.2023057004829

Authors

Fernanda Junqueira Salles Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Saúde Ambiental. São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1260-8780
Isabelle Nogueira Leroux Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Saúde Ambiental. São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1475-2281
Alda Neis Miranda de Araujo Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas. Diadema, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3649-8683
Nilson Antonio Assunção Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas. Diadema, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3747-0415
Maciel Santos Luz I Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas de São Paulo. Laboratório de Processos Metalúrgicos. São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7972-6514
Glaucia Raquel Luciano da Veiga Centro Universitário Faculdade de Medicina do ABC. Laboratório Clínico. Santo André, SP, Brasi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6097-2341
Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas. Diadema, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1223-1589
Fredi Alexander Diaz-Quijano Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Epidemiologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1134-1930
Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio I Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Saúde Ambiental. São Paulo, SP, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4257-8295

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2023057004829

Keywords:

Chemical Compound Exposure, Occupational Exposure, Informal Sector, Physical Distancing, COVID-19

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.

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Is chemical exposure present in informal work associated with Sars-CoV-2 infection?

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