Occupational exposure to urban pollutants and plasma insulin

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether traffic police of a big city who are exposed to urban pollutants are at risk to alterations in plasma insulin concentrations compared with controls.

METHODS: The class of workers examined in this study were employees of the municipal police in Rome, Italy. The study was carried out during the period March - April 2001. Traffic police were matched with a control group, where gender, age, working life and drinking habit were noted. A total of 246 traffic police (128 men and 118 women) with outdoor activity and exposure to urban pollutants and 242 subjects (128 men and 114 women) with indoor activity were included in the study.

RESULTS: The levels of plasma insulin were significantly lower in traffic police compared to the control group of both gender.

CONCLUSION: Plasma insulin level was altered in traffic police who are exposed to chemical and physical stressors.