‘Rising pollution levels reduce lung function among diabetics’

The study “Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Among Diabetic and Non-diabetics: Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Patients”, is set to be published soon in the Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

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The rise in the number of vehicles in Pune is an area of concern. Arul Horizon

Even a 10 microgram per cubic metre rise in particulate matter (PM 10) level can increase breathlessness and reduce lung function among diabetic persons. The results of the Wellcome Trust Genetic study are a startling indicator of how diabetic patients are at great risk of impaired lung function due to air pollution in Pune. This is the first time researchers aimed at investigating the long-term pulmonary effects of air pollution in Pune where the typical concentrations of PM 10 in the ambient air is above 100 µg/m3. The study “Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Among Diabetic and Non-diabetics: Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Patients”, is set to be published soon in the Environmental Science and Pollution Research.

According to researchers, there is scientific evidence now that the increasing PM 10 levels have led to poor glucose control and insulin resistance among diabetics. “Our analysis showed that exposure to higher PM 10 concentration was related with increased risk of chronic cough, dyspnea (breathlessness) and impaired lung function. The prevalence of wheezing, allergy symptom, chest tightness, asthma and COPD were significantly higher among diabetic subject than non-diabetics,” Dr Sundeep Salvi, director, Chest Research Foundation, and one of the co-authors of the WellGen Study that was supported by the Wellcome Trust (London), said. Researchers Morteza Khafaie from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran, worked in coordination with Dr C S Yajnik, director of the Diabetes Research Unit at KEM hospital, Dr Ajay Ojha from Technogreen Environmental Solutions and Salvi to examine the effect of exposure to ambient PM 10 on chronic symptoms and the pulmonary function tests in diabetic and non-diabetic persons.

Diabetics may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of ambient air pollutants than healthy individuals. But the risk factors that lead to susceptibility to air pollution in diabetics have not yet been identified, Yajnik explained, adding that 400 Type 2 diabetic and 465 non-diabetic persons were investigated for chronic respiratory symptoms at KEM hospital. Air pollutants and meteorological data were provided by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the Indian Meteorological Department.

Air pollution contributes to 6.6 million premature deaths every year in rapidly developing countries and plays a significant role in the casualty and worsening of both the diseases, Yajnik said. Its effect on health of the Indian people has not been well investigated. Previously, too, the same team of researchers reported that the daily fluctuation in air pollution could produce inflammatory responses. Air pollution is a big problem, can’t keep quiet about it, say experts, urge action

The ambient air pollution has been shown to be associated with several acute and chronic adverse effects on human health, especially those involving the respiratory and cardiovascular system. This study suggests that the decline in exposure may significantly reduce dyspnea and impaired lung function. “Air pollution is a big problem in the city and we cannot keep quiet about it,” Salvi said and urged that despite a lot of data being generated, not much was being done to create a health impact. Last year, an International Energy Agency report estimated that around 1.6 million premature deaths in India were due to air pollution.

To protect citizens from rising air pollution levels, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken the initiative to develop an Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Information & Response (AIR) Plan. The Ahmedabad AQI is supported by technical expertise from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune (IITM)’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) programme. Can Pune follow a similar model? experts have now asked. Dr Gufran Beig, project director at SAFAR, said that they have been rating the air quality in “good”, “moderate” and “poor” categories. It is now up to the citizens and local administration to activate a response plan and follow health advisories.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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