Beware! Study Shows Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticide Increases Risk of Covid-19 Infection

A new study conducted by Saurabh Chatterjee et al at the University of South Carolina, US, in human lung airway cells, shows that exposure to organophosphate pesticides and the occurrence of cancer or type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of getting Covid-19 infection.  

The team of scientists has identified a basic mechanism that is linked to inflammation and the rise in the risk of contracting Covid infection in people who are exposed to organophosphate pesticides.  

Similar kind of inflammation is also seen in cancer patients and type 2 diabetes patients. So, they are also at an increased risk of Coronavirus infection.  

Also read how amla can prevent Covid 19. 

About the study 

The team analyzed whether exposure to chlorpyriphos, which is an organophosphate pesticide, and high level of interleukin 6 (IL 6) could raise the risk of getting Covid infection.  

For this, they exposed epithelial cells of human lung airway to either Chlorpyriphos or IL 6 or both for six hours. Another group of cells were not exposed.  

Then, the team treated the exposed cells with spike proteins found in the covering of SARS-CoV-2. When a person is infected, spike proteins of the virus bind with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors of the host body cells (patient's cells). This triggers a process that lets the virus release its genetic material to healthy host body cells.  

The study presented that cells exposed to organophosphate pesticide or IL 6 showed high rate of apotosis (controlled cell death) when they were infected with SARS-CoV-2  and the spike protein bound them.  

The exposed cells showed greater ACE2 expression at the apical cell surface compared to unexposed cells. This means more viruses can attach themselves to such cells . 

The same thing was seen in cells of bodies suffering from cancer or type 2 diabetes.  

Such type of studies show that it is better to be as natural and healthy as possible during the pandemic situation. The more you expose yourselves to chemicals and artificial things and develop illnesses, the more you are at risk of falling to the Coronavirus.  

Also know the 5 foods to avoid if you have Covid.