Reducing air pollution key to fight new diabetes cases in India: Doctors

Reducing air pollution levels in India can be the key to curb the rising burden of diabetes in the country health experts said on ThursdayWith a tenth of all Indians having diabetes the country is already known as the diabetes capital of the world Data shows India is home to 101 million diabetics and 136 million prediabetic people The prevalence of chronic disease is expected to soar further especially among young adultsEarlier known to affect the lungs research now confirms that air pollution can be a significant contributor to the onset of diabetes in IndiaThe latest Lancet study showed that 20 per cent of global Type 2 diabetes cases are related to chronic exposure to particulate matter PM with a diameter of 2middot5 micrometres or less PM2middot5About 134 per cent was derived from ambient PM25 and 65 per cent from household air pollutionDr Ambrish Mithal Chairman Endocrinology and Diabetes Max HealthCare told IANS that there is now data to suggest that PM 25 which is 30 times thinner than the human hair increases the risk of type two diabetesEven one month of exposure can increase the risk of insulin resistance and developing diabetes And prolonged exposure will increase the risk of diabetes by up to 20 per cent he saidThe air pollution levels in India are among the highest in the world In 2023 the country was ranked the thirdmost polluted country globally after Bangladesh and Pakistan as per the 2023 World Air Quality ReportSo while the WHO recommends five micrograms per cubic metre of PM 25 is acceptable in India the average is 50 and in some cities it goes up even higher the doctor saidThe effect of air pollution on the lungs has been well documented Recent evidence shows that air pollution can also act as an endocrine disruptor leading to type 2 diabetes Dr V Mohan Chairman Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr Mohanrsquos Diabetes Specialities Centre told IANSCiting a recent study from India which followed 12064 adults residing in Delhi and Chennai for 7 years he said A 10 milligrams per cubic metre of air increase in monthly average exposure to PM25 was associated with 004 milligrams per deciliter increase in fasting sugar and a 0021 unit increase in HbA1cThe HbA1c test is used to evaluate a persons level of glucose controlAn increase in average annual PM25 exposure by 10 milligrams per cubic metre of air was associated with a 22 per cent increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes This shows the importance of avoiding air pollution to improve the health of people in general and in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in particular the noted diabetologist saidExperts noted that curbing air pollution levels is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for preventing new onset of diabetes casesHow is air pollution linked to diabetesPM 25 is a tiny particle that enters the bloodstream and attaches to the cells to produce insulin resistanceIt can possibly attack the pancreas and cause inflammation there and possibly reduce insulin secretionrdquo Dr Mithal saidWhile the exact mechanism is not clearly worked out it seems to be both at the level of insulin resistance and insulin secretion But there is no doubt that there is a link between air pollution and diabetes and it is one of the significant contributing factors in the increase of diabetes in India he addedThe doctor noted that poor air quality is also emerging as a major factor behind the rising cardiovascular problems in the countryAmid the growing link between diabetes heart risk and air pollution we need cleaner energy and rules on pollution Dr Anoop Misra Chairman amp Director Diabetes and Endocrinology Fortis CDoc Hospital told IANSMore green spaces in cities can also help Masks and air purifiers might help a bit but not everyone can afford purifiers Public education is key We need everyone government businesses and communities to work together he said