Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

 According to an article published in the January 26 edition of The Lancet, Drs Jones and Griffin claim there is a need to research the possibility of a link between persistent organic pollutants (POPs, a group which includes many pesticides) and adult onset diabetes.

The article recommends longitudinal studies on the basis that research has increasingly shown an epidemiological association between POPs and the diabetes.

The authors cite peer reviewed research which demonstrated a very strong relationship between the levels of POPs in blood and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The authors claim that the significant implications of such a connection for public health issues merit long-term research, despite the current lack of direct evidence.
“Of course correlation does not automatically imply causation,” said Dr Jones. “But if there is indeed a link, the health implications could be tremendous. 

“At present there is very limited information. Research into adult onset diabetes currently focuses on genetics and obesity; there has been almost no consideration for the possible influence of environmental factors such as pollution.”

In the studies cited by the authors, it was shown that the link between obesity and diabetes increased as organic pollutants in the blood increased. Thus, individuals’ risk for diabetes was higher if they had high levels of POPs regardless of their weight.

Dr Jones said: “I think research should be carried out to first test the hypothesis that POPs exposure can cause diabetes, perhaps using cell or tissue cultures, so we know for sure if this can occur. Assuming POPs can have this effect, the next step would be to try and develop a method of treatment for those people who might be affected.”

POPs came into prominence as effective pesticides with the introduction of DDT in the 1940s.  These organic compounds, most of which are man-made, have also been used in the production of such things as solvents and pharmaceuticals.

Because they are resistant to environmental degradation, the chemicals continue to persist in the environment despite many being banned several years ago.

This persistence allows them to find their way into the food chain and individuals, where the chemicals bioaccumulate in fatty tissues of living organisms.

Other studies have also shown that obesity is only associated with diabetes in people with high levels of POPs. However, since POP exposure mostly occurs through consumption of animal fats, it is unclear whether the link is a result of POP exposure or the consumption of the fats.

It is widely accepted that significant exposure to POPs can cause negative health effects. The US Department of Veteran Affairs, for example, lists adult onset diabetes as a presumptive condition associated with Agent Orange (which contains the POP dioxin) exposure during the Vietnam War.

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