According to a study by the University of Oslo, exposure to environmental pollutants, even at small concentrations, may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
“The potential contribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to diabetes in youth remains poorly known, especially regarding type 1 diabetes (T1D), generally the most prevalent form of diabetes in youth,” the study’s authors explained.
“We investigated the associations between POPs and T1D in youth and studied the impacts of POPs on pancreatic β-cell function and viability in vitro.”
Of 442 youths included in the study, 182 were identified as having T1.
“These results support a potential role of POPs in T1D etiology and demonstrate a high sensitivity of pancreatic β-cells to POPs.”
The study was published in Environment International.
