Effects of Air Pollution on Diabetes

1. Air pollutants (NO2) are found to be associated with the development of diabetes among Korean
residents.
a. 14,667 non-diabetic individuals from different towns of Korea participated in the study.
b. These individuals were geolocated.
i. Based on this, the concentration of the pollutants was assessed per area.
ii. Study was started between 2005 and 2011 and continued until 2016.
c. During the study period, 907 (mostly of ages 40-69) individuals developed diabetes.
i. Scientists statistically found an association between increased and long-term
exposures to NO2 (1.49 per 10-ppb) and the development of diabetes.
ii. These individuals were found to have lower intake of Vitamin A, Retinol and
Cholesterol.
1. Intakes were assessed according to the food being reported by the
subjects.
2. Type-2 diabetic patients are of more risk to develop cardiovascular diseases in air polluted areas.
a. 3900 Type-2 diabetes patients of Northern China were involved in the study.
i. Northern China is usually a hub for mining. Emissions of NO2, SO2, and PM10 is
a serious issue.
ii. 2011-2015
iii. Geolocation was used for assessment of the air pollutants levels.
b. Increase in levels of SO2, NO2 and PM10 has a positive association with the increase in
levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and (negative) high-
density lipoprotein cholesterol.
3. Animal study: SO2 exposure has a worsening effect on diabetic rats.