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Organic Pollutants and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Yousif M Hydoub1, Ricardo Loor-Torres2, Abdul Qadeer3
1Department of Cardiac Sciences, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Innovations, Quality & Outcomes
|January 8, 2026
Summary
Exposure to various organic pollutants (OPs) is linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Further research is needed to determine safe exposure levels for public health guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Organic pollutants (OPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants.
- Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing global health concern.
- The potential link between OPs and T2D risk requires thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the association between serum concentrations of various organic pollutants (OPs) and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central) up to March 2024.
- Included studies reported adjusted or unadjusted associations between OP serum levels and T2D risk, excluding type 1 diabetes and studies with fewer than 100 T2D cases.
- Pooled risk estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, with risk of bias assessed and stratified analyses performed by sex and concentration.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis included 44 studies with 54,967 participants, examining 83 individual and 38 combination OPs.
- Ten out of 12 classified OP classes showed a significant association with T2D risk. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans exhibited the highest association (OR, 2.54).
- Specific pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) showed significant associations, with variations observed between sexes. Organochlorine pesticides demonstrated a notably high risk (OR, 4.35).
Conclusions:
- Several organic pollutants are significantly associated with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Future research should focus on identifying critical concentration thresholds for OPs that trigger increased T2D risk.
- Findings can inform public health strategies for T2D screening and the regulation of organic pollutants.
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