Highlights

• Particulate matter that exists as fine dust in the air can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, particularly in low-income countries such as India.
• Analysis of the burden of pollution-linked diabetes (in the journal, Lancet Planetary Health) estimates that in 2016, air pollution resulted in as many as 3.2 million new cases of diabetes.
• This is 14% of all new diabetes cases for that year, and India’s share was 20% of new cases.
• Studies have shown that this fine dust enters the bloodstream through the lungs, reducing insulin production and triggering inflammation.
• This factor adds to the diabetes burden which affects more than 420 million people globally.
• Where high economic growth has lead to higher pollution burdens, lower-income countries such as India are affected the most.
• After all, while the global PM2.5 average was 42.3 micrograms per c3, in India, it was 72.6 per m3. The study finds that a modest reduction in PM2.5 levels may lead to a reduction in diabetes cases in India.

Source: The Hindu