Two studies published in international journals have reported a link between air pollution levels and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Chennai and Delhi.
Indian cities have consistently dominated the tops of lists of places with the worst air for residents.
Air quality of cities frequently several times higher than the limits set by the World Health Organisation.
For every 10 μg/m3 increase a month in PM2.5 levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) increased by 0.21-0.58 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)by 0.012-0.024 in Delhi.
FPG increased −0.36-1.39 mg/dL and HbA1c 0.01-0.06 in Chennai.
Over six months, a 10 μg/m3 change in PM2.5 levels resulted in a rough doubling of both ranges in Delhi.
But it couldn’t be associated with a statistically significant result in Chennai.
In annual average “PM2.5” could be related to a 9-36% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.