Environmental pollution may trigger diabetes, scientists suspect in the US.

In the commentary published in the recent edition of the Lancet, Cambridge scientists Oliver Jones and Julian Griffin highlight the need to research the possible link between certain pollutants and diabetes.

Past research had found individuals are more at risk of diabetes if they are thin with high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in their blood than if they are overweight but with low levels of POPs, scientists said.

POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods and are considered as toxic to humans and wildlife.

The POPs came into prominence as effective pesticides with the introduction of Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT) one of the best-known synthetic pesticides in the 1940s.

However, many of these chemicals, including DDT, fell out of favour after they were blamed for the declining number of wild birds and other animals and the possible negative human health effects, according to a report posted in the Cambridge University website.

As the compounds biodegrade slowly, they continue to find their way into the food chain and ultimately into the blood streams of individuals even though many of these toxins were banned years ago.

Additionally, these compounds can persist in body fat for very long periods of time following exposure. It is well documented that significant exposure to POPs can cause negative health effects.

The US Environmental Protection Agency states that the pesticide Chlordane, for example, can cause cancer and can lead to behavioural disorders in children if exposed before birth or while nursing, and harms the endocrine system, nervous system, digestive system, and liver.