Environmental Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and SARS-CoV-2 Infection History Among Blood Donors.

Objectives

The present study evaluated the association between plasma concentrations of selected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)-bisphenol A (BPA), methylparaben (MeP), propylparaben (PrP), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and imazalil (IMZ)-and prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status.

Methods

Plasma EDC levels were quantified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 262 voluntary blood donors (121 convalescents and 141 controls) at the Regional Centre for Transfusion Medicine in Bialystok, Poland.

Results

The cohort exhibited widespread environmental exposure to all selected EDCs (BPA: 1.14 ng/mL, MeP: 1.20 ng/mL, PrP: 1.38 ng/mL, 4-NP: 1.90 ng/mL, 4-OP: 0.57 ng/mL, DEHP: 49.68 ng/mL, IMZ: 20.06 ng/mL). Convalescents had significantly higher concentrations of MeP, PrP, 4-OP, and 4-NP. Logistic regression revealed that MeP, PrP, and 4-NP were significantly associated with prior COVID-19 status, increasing infection odds by 80%, 70%, and 63%, respectively. While 4-OP was strongly associated with prior COVID-19 status (odds ratio > 300 per unit change and 1.79 per 0.1 unit change), the wide confidence interval for the unit change estimate requires cautious interpretation.

Conclusions

These findings suggest a strong link between selected paraben and alkylphenol exposure and prior COVID-19 status in blood donors. Additionally, the high IMZ levels highlight the need for urgent evaluation of its safety and environmental prevalence.