Diabetes

The Link Between Air Pollution And Increased Type 2 Diabetes Risk

This article was medically reviewed by Tess Thomas, DO, ABFM.

At a Glance

39% of people in America live in areas with failing air quality grades.
Extreme heat can increase the effects of air pollution and poor air quality, and impact those with chronic health conditions like diabetes.
Learn who may suffer from the highest risk of air pollution, and simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

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Climate and health are inextricably intertwined, and changes to the former will fundamentally affect the latter. Climate changes can impact our quality of food, air, water and shelter, whether it's due to weather-related events or the spread of pests and diseases.

In the U.S., air quality has changed dramatically due to climate change and extreme heat, pollution (from vehicle exhaust to industrial emissions), smoke from wildfires, pollen and more. Canada’s wildfires in 2023 highlighted the health hazards of wildfire smoke, with air so unhealthy that outdoor events were postponed and New York City residents stayed indoors for several days due to the blanket of orange smoke.

In the 2024 “State of the Air” report by the American Lung Association, despite decades of progress cleaning up air pollution, 39% of people living in America (131.2 million people) still live in places with failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution.

Poor air quality will affect many chronic conditions and, according to the World Health Organization, air pollution has been strongly linked with stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes and other cognitive and neurological diseases.

How Does Extreme Weather Impact Air Pollution?

Heat waves often lead to poor air quality, with hot and sunny dates associated with increased ground-level ozone, particulate pollution, drought, forest fires and more.

Health Risks From Air Pollution

Common health risks from increased air pollution include respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. Other environmental impacts include damage to agricultural crops and forests.

According to the EPA, those who suffer from chronic heart disease can also experience:

Heart palpitations
Extreme or unusual fatigue
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness or pain in the chest, neck or shoulder

Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is another environmental impact that degrades air quality, increasing chances of respiratory illness, impaired visibility and disruption to transportation and outdoor activities.

Wildfire smoke, pollution and other problems aren’t just an “out there” issue - ambient air pollution, also known as air pollution in the outdoor environment, can enter or be present in indoor environments.

Airborne Allergens

If you suffer from asthma, hay fever and are prone to other allergic illnesses, air pollution could be making your symptoms much worse. Warmer temperatures, precipitation changes and higher carbon dioxide concentrations can increase exposure to airborne pollen allergens, according to the EPA.

What Is Particulate Matter PM2.5 And PM10?

If you’ve done any reading on HEPA (“high efficiency particulate air”) filters and air purifiers, you may have come across the terms “PM10” or “PM2.5.” PM2.5 stands for particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller.

A micron, also known as a micrometer, is a unit of length that measures one millionth of a meter (basically, a 26,000th of an inch), and is used to measure objects that are barely visible without magnification.
Particulate matter is the term for particles like dust, dirt, soot, smoke and liquid droplets found in the air.

Particulates at level PM10 are those with a diameter of 10 microns or less and are inhalable into the lungs, and can include dust from construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, pollen, fragments of bacteria and more. PM10 particulates are more likely to deposit on the surface of the larger airways of the upper region of the lung, and can cause tissue damage and inflammation, according to the California Air Resource Board (CARB).

Particles less than 2.5 microns are referred to as “fine” inhalable particles, according to the EPA, and can pose health risks if they lodge into the lungs. Measuring less than 5% of the width of a human hair, it can cause a range of health effects from minor eye, throat and lung irritation to asthma attacks, worsening heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Does Air Pollution Increase Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes?

In short, yes, air pollution can increase risks of developing or irritating symptoms of type 2 diabetes, according to multiple studies. A study by the Washington University School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs (VA) St. Louis Health Care System attributed 150,000 new cases of diabetes per year to air pollution and 350,000 years of healthy life lost annually in the United States.

As a refresher, diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors, and type 2 diabetes can develop due to a variety of factors including weight, insulin resistance, genetics and family history, medicines and other genetic mutations and hormonal diseases. For those with diabetes, pollution is thought to reduce insulin production and trigger inflammation, preventing the body from converting glucose into energy.

One study noted that diabetes prevalence increased with exposure to the finer particulate matters. When tested, plasma inflammatory markers increased in response to higher PM2.5 exposure.

In another more recent study, even more evidence appears to suggest that type 2 diabetes biomarkers increase with further exposure duration and concentration of air pollutants, which can cause increased inflammation and oxidative stress (leading to cell and tissue damage). The study also suggested that elderly, female and obese participants were more susceptible under exposure to air pollution.

How To Protect Yourself From Poor Air Quality

Air pollution can be a high risk for certain groups, including children under 18, adults over 65, people with chronic heart or lung disease, pregnant women and people with diabetes, according to Lung.org.

If you’re curious about the air quality in your area, be sure to check out The Weather Channel’s Air Quality monitor in your area, with good, moderate and bad ratings for particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone and more. You can also check out the EPA’s AirNow website.

Indoor air pollution can be caused by cooking and appliance use, cleaning solutions, pet dander, pollen and other allergens coming in from the environment. Short-term symptoms can include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue, while long-term effects can include respiratory diseases, heart disease, cancer and other illnesses.

Important Tips To Protect Yourself From Poor Air Quality

Change your plans if the air pollution is heavier than usual – limiting the time spent outdoors when the air quality index is poor is imperative.
Consider wearing a mask with filtration levels at N95 or KN95.
Clean your home thoroughly when there are wildfires and other common allergen increases during seasonal environmental changes.
Run your air conditioning instead of opening doors and windows, and consider using an air purifier.
These tips can’t completely mitigate all of the issues, but can help in controlling some of your potential exposure.

The Weather Company does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with your doctor before starting any new medicine, supplement, weight loss or exercise regimen.

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