Breathing polluted air increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

ArabiaWeather - An exceptional study was conducted in India that concluded that people being exposed to breathing polluted air increases the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes.

This new study was conducted by a research team in the capital, Delhi, and the southern city of Chennai, which found that air pollution with high levels of PM2.5 particles is associated with higher blood sugar levels and an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

By inhalation, PM2.5 particles can enter the circulatory system and contribute to an increased risk of multiple diseases including respiratory, cardiovascular, and cardiovascular diseases.

Breathing polluted air increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

This study represents an important part of ongoing research into chronic diseases in India, which began in 2010. It is the first study to highlight the relationship between ambient PM2.5 exposure and type 2 diabetes in this large country.

According to the data provided, average annual PM2.5 levels in Delhi were between 82 and 100 µg/m3, while those in Chennai were between 30 and 40 µg/m3. These values are several times the WHO limit of 5 µg/m3.

It must be noted that the national air quality standards in India are 40 µg/m3, and this indicates that there are major challenges in maintaining air quality and reducing pollution in the country. There is also a high burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases in India, which reinforces the importance of such research in understanding the factors that influence health and developing strategies to combat these diseases.

“Given the pathophysiology of Indians — which includes low BMI with high fat content — we are more susceptible to developing diabetes than the Western population,” said Siddhartha Mandal, lead researcher on this study and a member of the CDC in Delhi. He pointed out that air pollution, which is an environmental factor, along with the changes in lifestyle that India has witnessed in recent decades, is contributing to the growing burden of diabetes.

In another study conducted on the same group in Delhi, the city's average annual exposure to PM2.5 particles of 92 µg/m3 resulted in an increase in blood pressure levels and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure.

PM2.5 contains compounds such as sulphates, nitrates, heavy metals and black carbon, and these substances can damage the lining of blood vessels and contribute to increased blood pressure through atherosclerosis. These findings highlight the impact of environmental and air pollution on health in India and reinforce the importance of taking action to improve air quality and prevent chronic diseases.

Data from urban India shows a rise in health problems such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and gestational diabetes. The study suggests that air pollution may play a role in causing these health problems, due to its effect on the endocrine system, which produces all hormones in the body.

The research team is currently working to understand how pollution affects cholesterol and vitamin D levels in the body and how this can affect various aspects of individuals' health. That research includes the impact of pollution on birth weight, the health of pregnant women, insulin resistance in teens, as well as the risk of Parkinson's disease and more. This research highlights the impact of the environment on health and encourages continued research to understand environmental impacts on public health and develop strategies for prevention and management.

Source: shafaq