Associations between long-term exposure to air pollution, glycosylated hemoglobin and diabetes

Abstract

In a cohort of older men and women in the United States, PM_2.5 and NO₂ exposures were significantly associated with prevalence of DM and increased HbA1c levels among both non-diabetic and diabetic participants. These associations suggest that air pollution could be a key risk factor for abnormal glucose metabolism and diabetes in the elderly.