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Environmental pollution from transportation increases the risk of developing diabetes
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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People who live in areas with high levels of air pollution from transport may face an increased risk of developing diabetes, Danish scientists say.
They found that people living in urban areas with high levels of nitrogen dioxide, the main source of which is exhaust fumes, had a 4% higher risk of developing diabetes than people living in areas with clean air.
Previous studies have shown that people with diabetes are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution than healthy people.
A new study published in the journal Diabetes Care is the most comprehensive to date and shows that air pollution may actually contribute to diabetes.
"Unlike previous studies, this work also shows that healthy people may be more susceptible to the effects of air pollution, which calls for further research on this topic," says study author Zorana J. Andersen.
A team of scientists analyzed data from nearly 52,000 residents of Denmark's two largest cities. Over the course of a decade, 3,000 people (5.5%) aged 50 to 65 were diagnosed with diabetes at the start of the study.
Outdoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations near the study participants' homes were also assessed.
In addition to exposure to air pollution, factors such as smoking, gender and age have a significant impact on the development of diabetes. They continue to be the most significant indicators of the likelihood of developing the disease.
Taking into account all the risk factors for developing diabetes, scientists came to the conclusion that air pollution increases the likelihood of developing the disease by 4%.
"The effect of air pollution on the development of diabetes was stronger in women, which is probably related to women's greater susceptibility to air pollution," Andersen suggested.
Previously, a group of scientists reported that people living in areas with high levels of road pollution have an increased risk of dying from stroke.
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