Diabetes favored in children by exhaust gases
Fine particle pollution emitted by vehicles leads to many diseases such as lung diseases. But it would also cause a promotion of type 1 diabetes in children.
This is demonstrated by a study published in March 2015 and conducted by the Institute for Diabetes Research at the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Germany (1) .
The phenomenon would only be valid, however, for very young children .
Children more exposed to pollution
Indeed, the study, conducted on 671 young children suffering from type 1 diabetes, would show that children who are more exposed to pollution with fine particles, are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes. The researchers set themselves more particularly on the child’s age at the onset of the disease. It appears from this research that children growing up in a highly polluted environment tend to develop the disease earlier than others . Remember that fine particles are mainly emitted by engines, but also factories, chimneys or agriculture.
To carry out this study, the researchers, of course, took into account many additional factors such as the BMI (Body Mass Index) of the children (please note that this calculation, which can be done at this address , is different from that of the adult), parents’ level of education, and family history.
More specifically, the study shows that children living in a very polluted place develop their type 1 diabetes on average 3 years earlier than children of the same age living in an environment with less fine particles.
Living in the city: more diabetes?
The researchers also found that no other factor related to living in the city generated a link between diabetes and the place of life.
This study therefore reinforces the results of other studies already carried out previously, in particular that of the European Environment Agency, which published a report on March 3 on the state of the environment in Europe in 2015. Indeed, the AEE declares that pollution contributes very strongly to the increase in cases of cancer, lung diseases, or cardiovascular diseases for example (2) .
The quality of the environment therefore remains, to this day, a very important factor in the appearance and development of certain diseases. It should be remembered that the World Health Organization has classified atmospheric pollution as the most important environmental health risk in the world, responsible for a large number of deaths.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.