DIABETES AND AIR POLLUTION

People with diabetes may be especially vulnerable to the adverse cardiovascular effects of particulate air pollution, one potential mechanism involving inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. To investigate further, O’Neill et al¹ have measured cell adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, vWF) in residents of the Boston area, USA, with type 2 diabetes. Linear regression was used to relate plasma levels of the various inflammatory markers to indices of daily average ambient levels of air pollution (PM_2.5, black carbon and sulphates), with adjustment for personal and meteorological risk factors. The authors found consistently positive associations, especially with VCAM-1 in individuals with diabetes who …