Traffic-related air pollution is associated with incident type 2 diabetes among elderly women. Subclinical inflammation may be a mechanism linking air pollution with type 2 diabetes.
There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in diabetes mellitus and that these nutrients might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease. The aim of present study was to compare the level of toxic elements, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in biological samples (whole blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients having diabetes mellitus type-2 age ranged (31–60) (n = 238), with those of age matched non-diabetics (ND) as control subjects (n = 196), of both genders.
Results showed significantly higher mean values in diabetic patients (smokers and nonsmokers) compared to the test group. Blood and urine values were also higher in diabetics, but more so in diabetic patients who smoked.
Hassan Imran Afridi et al. Evaluation of status of toxic metals in biological samples of diabetes mellitus patients. Diabetes Research & Clin Practice, Vol80, 2, 2008, page 280-288
"Zinc, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and nickel play an important role in diabetes mellitus as environmental risk factors."
Ya Wen Chen et al. Heavy metals, islet function and diabetes development. Islets 1:3, 169-176; Nov-Dec 2009
This study shows that mortality from Diabetes Mellitus (DM) declined in females(but not in males) gradually after the arsenic content of drinking water was reduced. (J Occup Environm Med. 2006; 48:63-67)