Air pollution & Bad weather affecting Diabetic Patients in Mumbai and nearby cities
Mumbai-Thane:- According to the data shared by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecast and Research (SAFAR), of the 92 days between November 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023, Mumbai has recorded ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ AQI in 66 days. The data also states that of the total 92 days, Mumbai has recorded ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ AQI on only one day. Air pollution is a leading cause of insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The association between air pollution and diabetes is stronger for traffic associated pollutants, gaseous, nitrogen dioxide, tobacco smoke and particulate matter. In 2017, exposure to PM 2.5 pollution was found to be the third leading risk factor globally for Type 2 diabetes-related deaths and disability after high blood sugar and excessive body weight.Commenting on this Dr. Tarun Jain, Diabetologist from Apex group of Hospitals , Borivali says, ” The exact mechanism behind the relationship between air pollution and diabetes has not yet been proven. However, scientists know that some pollutants once they have been breathed in can enter the bloodstream and interact with tissues and organs. These interactions ultimately disrupt the body, and, among other things, may alter insulin sensitivity and production. It is important to note that the risk of pollution-related diabetes is higher in lower-income countries that lack clean air policies, such as India, China, and Indonesia, while more wealthy countries, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have a lower risk. PM 2.5 particles are endocrine disruptors. They can affect insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Throughout last winter season, Mumbai experienced slow to very slow wind-speed on most days, due to which the suspended particulate matter remained suspended in air for longer duration, thus affecting the AQI. Along with this, construction works, open garbage burning and factors like vehicular emission are also playing a role in worsening the AQI in Mumbai. Most of the studies which were carried out to determine the association of Diabetes with Air pollution has been on the pollutant emissions from cars, trucks and diesel exhaust. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. India has the second highest number of individuals with diabetes in the world and these numbers are predicted to reach 120 million by 2045. Environmental exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide has been identified as a risk factor for diabetes.”
Explaining Air pollution & Heart diseases correlation Dr. Sanjay Tarlekar, Cardiologist & Director of Shushrusha Heart care centre & Multispeciality Hospital from Nerul said, “Indian Studies that have examined the compounding effect of meteorological conditions on air pollution found that winter worsened the air quality of both indoor air and outdoor air. Unfortunately, many young people are getting heart attacks which go unnoticed in our country. The reasons behind young adults suffering heart attacks are diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, air pollution, stress, heavy workout, steroids and many other reasons. As many as 27,584 people in Mumbai have died of heart diseases or heart attacks between 2019 and 2021 across Mumbai. Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Breathing polluted air for long periods of time can cause more serious Heart problems. According to a recent World Health Organisation report, more than twenty percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths are caused by air pollution—that’s more than three million deaths every year—and these numbers will continue to rise unless we, as a global community, take action.”
