Tamara Thomas

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Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may lead to higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and increased<a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/117853-overview"> Type 2 diabetes</a> among women of childbearing age, according to a study published in Diabetes Care.
Limited evidence exists regarding the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and diabetes risk in women of reproductive age. These tiny particles, measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing the most significant health risk.
For this study, Dr. Jing Cai and colleagues examined the association of long-term PM2.5 exposure with fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and diabetes risk in Chinese women of reproductive age.
The study included data from over 20 million women of reproductive age (age 20–49) participating in the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project in China between 2010 and 2015. The researchers assessed long-term PM2.5 exposure at participants&#8217; residences, calculating average exposure levels for 1, 2, and 3 years before the survey date (lag 1-3 years), as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The study revealed that the median fine particulate matter concentrations over the lag periods of 1, 2, and 3 years were 67, 67, and 66 µg/m³, respectively, exceeding the WHO limit by more than 13-fold.
The researchers also found a link between long-term exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of developing diabetes. According to the study, 3 years of average exposure to PM2.5 by 27µg/m³ slightly raised FBG level by 0.078 mmol/L, the risk of diabetes by 18%, and the risk of prediabetes by 5%. The researchers noted that the risk of diabetes was more pronounced in overweight or obese people and those older than 35.
The study also revealed that long-term exposure to PM2.5 levels in the last three years exceeding 5 µg/m³ and 35 µg/m³ corresponded to an additional 41,700 and 78,600 cases of diabetes nationwide, respectively. 
&#8220;These findings carry significant public health implications for formulating effective intervention strategies and environmental policies to better protect women&#8217;s health, particularly in countries with relatively high levels of air pollution and a large population with diabetes, such as China,&#8221; the authors wrote.
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Source:<a href="https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/fine-particulate-matter-raises-type-2-diabetes-risk-women-2024a1000amu?form=fpf"> Medscape</a>
Journal:<a href="https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-abstract/doi/10.2337/dc23-2153/156789/Long-Term-Exposure-to-Fine-Particulate-Matter-and?redirectedFrom=fulltext"> Diabetes Care</a>

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Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter Linked to Higher Diabetes Risk in Women

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Researchers found a link between long-term exposure to air pollution and an increased risk of developing diabetes in women.

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