New Yorkers Living Near Hazardous Waste Dumps Have Higher Diabetes Risk
Affluent But Polluted Hudson River Neighborhoods Among Most Affected
Affluent But Polluted Hudson River Neighborhoods Among Most Affected
by Bryant Furlow
EPI NEWS
January 8, 2007—People living near hazardous
waste dumps are significantly more likely to be
hospitalized for diabetes, according to research-
ers from the University at Albany in Rensselaer,
New York. The study is the latest evidence that
environmental toxins might play a role in diabetes
risk.
The findings appear in the current issue of the
journal Environmental Health Perspectives
(Environ Health Perspect 2007;115:75–79. doi:
10.1289/ehp.9223 available via http://dx.doi.org/).
The authors analyzed hospitalizations for
diabetes among New York state residents
diagnosed between 1993 and 2000.
"After controlling for major confounders, we found
a statistically significant increase in the rate of
hospitalization for diabetes among the population
residing in ZIP codes containing toxic waste sites,"
the authors report.
Residents living along the polychlorinated
biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated portions of the
Hudson River had even higher rates of diabetes
than those in other polluted zip codes, despite the
fact that they earn higher incomes, exercise more,
and eat and smoke less than other New Yorkers.
"The rates of diabetes diagnosis were 36% higher
among Hudson River residents than those of
clean sites, in spite of the fact that they have a
healthier lifestyle," report the authors.
EPI NEWS
January 8, 2007—People living near hazardous
waste dumps are significantly more likely to be
hospitalized for diabetes, according to research-
ers from the University at Albany in Rensselaer,
New York. The study is the latest evidence that
environmental toxins might play a role in diabetes
risk.
The findings appear in the current issue of the
journal Environmental Health Perspectives
(Environ Health Perspect 2007;115:75–79. doi:
10.1289/ehp.9223 available via http://dx.doi.org/).
The authors analyzed hospitalizations for
diabetes among New York state residents
diagnosed between 1993 and 2000.
"After controlling for major confounders, we found
a statistically significant increase in the rate of
hospitalization for diabetes among the population
residing in ZIP codes containing toxic waste sites,"
the authors report.
Residents living along the polychlorinated
biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated portions of the
Hudson River had even higher rates of diabetes
than those in other polluted zip codes, despite the
fact that they earn higher incomes, exercise more,
and eat and smoke less than other New Yorkers.
"The rates of diabetes diagnosis were 36% higher
among Hudson River residents than those of
clean sites, in spite of the fact that they have a
healthier lifestyle," report the authors.
| Statistical Details Odds ratios (OR) for diabetes diagnosis and waste sites after adjustment for potential confounders: 1.23 (95% CI, 1.15–1.32) Hudson River Zip Codes vs. Clean Zip Codes: 1.36 (95% CI, 1.26–1.47) |
This is not the first indication of a link
between chemical exposures and diabetes.
A 2006 chemical industry-funded study of
rubber factory workers, for example, found
elevated diabetes mortality rates.
Risk factors for diabetes include
demographic variables like age, obesity,
sedentary lifestyle, and low income levels—
but increasingly, research also implicates
exposure to environmental pollutants like
arsenic, Agent Orange, cigarette smoke,
and dioxins.
"[A]lthough chemical contaminants are
certainly not the only, or perhaps even the
major, risk factor for diabetes," the authors
conclude, "they are a factor that must be
considered."
Previous studies have linked residence
near hazardous waste sites with birth
defects, low birth weight, and kidney
disease.
Diabetes is a leading causes of death in
the US. Over 6% of Americans have the
disease. Black Americans are more than
twice as likely as whites to develop
diabetes, even after income and weight are
taken into account.
The study was funded by the Fogarty
International Center, National Institutes of
Health, and by the Institute for Health and
the Environment, University at Albany. The
authors report no financial conflicts of
interest.
between chemical exposures and diabetes.
A 2006 chemical industry-funded study of
rubber factory workers, for example, found
elevated diabetes mortality rates.
Risk factors for diabetes include
demographic variables like age, obesity,
sedentary lifestyle, and low income levels—
but increasingly, research also implicates
exposure to environmental pollutants like
arsenic, Agent Orange, cigarette smoke,
and dioxins.
"[A]lthough chemical contaminants are
certainly not the only, or perhaps even the
major, risk factor for diabetes," the authors
conclude, "they are a factor that must be
considered."
Previous studies have linked residence
near hazardous waste sites with birth
defects, low birth weight, and kidney
disease.
Diabetes is a leading causes of death in
the US. Over 6% of Americans have the
disease. Black Americans are more than
twice as likely as whites to develop
diabetes, even after income and weight are
taken into account.
The study was funded by the Fogarty
International Center, National Institutes of
Health, and by the Institute for Health and
the Environment, University at Albany. The
authors report no financial conflicts of
interest.
