Several organic pollutants linked to T2D

Organic pollutants such as furans, dioxins, and halo aromatic polyphenyl substituted compounds, among others, appear to contribute to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a meta-analysis.

Researchers searched multiple online databases for studies exploring the association between serum concentration of organic pollutants and T2D. Studies on type 1 diabetes, with self-reported exposure, and had fewer than 100 T2D cases were excluded.

Organic pollutants were classified as intentionally produced (eg, industrial chemicals and organochlorine pesticides) and unintentionally produced (eg, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).

A total of 44 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. These studies involved 83 individual and 38 combination organic pollutants in 54,967 participants. All but one study had low risk of bias.

Pooled data showed that 10 of 12 organic pollutant classes were associated with the risk of T2D, with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans having the strongest association (odds ratio [OR], 2.54, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.94–3.33). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins had a pronounced association with T2D risk in men (OR, 3.21, 95 percent CI, 1.81–5.71). In women, the strongest associations were observed for polychlorinated biphenyls (OR, 1.72, 95 percent CI, 1.55–1.92) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and DDT-like compounds (OR, 1.14, 95 percent CI, 1.01–1.29).

In total, 28 (33.7 percent) individual and 21 (55.3 percent) combination organic pollutants were significantly associated with T2D. The highest risk was observed for polychlorinated biphenyl 157 (OR, 1.93, 95 percent CI, 1.27–2.92) and organochlorine pesticides (OR, 4.35, 95 percent CI, 1.90–9.98).

More studies are needed to confirm the findings and evaluate the concentration threshold at which organic pollutants increase the risk of T2D to inform both screening and organic pollutant advisories and regulation.