(FoodConsumer.org) — Exposure to air pollution, particularly traffic related pollution, may increase risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and possibly hypertension as well, according to a new study in last month’s Journal Circulation.
The study led by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health found that incident hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were associated with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides in black women living in Los Angeles.
Patricia F. Coogan et al. authors of the study say evidence already suggested that long term exposure to air pollutants leads to higher risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. They also say preliminary epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests air pollutants may increase risk for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
For the study, Coogan et al. identified 531 incident cases of hypertension and 183 incident cases of diabetes mellitus among black women living in Los Angeles between 1995 and 2005. They then used Cox proportional hazards models to assess risk of incident hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in relation to exposure to fine particulate matter or PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides.
When analyzing pollutants separately, the researchers found a 10-ug/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with 48 percent increased risk for hypertension and 63 percent increased risk for diabetes. They also found a difference of 12.4 parts per billion of nitrogen oxides was linked with 14 percent increased risk for hypertension and 25 percent increased risk for diabetes.
When both pollutants were analyzed together, the risk increased by PM2.5, while the risk increased by nitrogen oxides remained the same for both hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The researchers concluded, “Our results suggest that exposure to air pollutants, especially traffic-related pollutants, may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and possibly of hypertension.”
An estimated 26 million Americans live with type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to American Diabetes Association. There is no cure for the disease. Many lifestyle parameters can be modified to reduce the risk though.
Diabetes can lead to many serious complications including loss of vision, development of sores and infections in feet and skin, kidney damage among other things. In men, diabetes can cause erection dysfunction.
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