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Farmworker diabetes risk linked to bad air
By Mark Glover
More than 1 million
California farmworkers face a higher risk of diabetes as well
as respiratory diseases related to poor
air quality, according to articles in the latest issue of
California Agriculture.
The journal is put out by the
University of California.
In the articles, scientists affiliated with UC Western Center for
Agricultural Health and Safety offer details of their research on the
potential health effects of particulates in ambient air inhaled by
laboratory animals in the
San Joaquin Valley. They also reviewed factors such as the
effect of pesticide exposure on diabetes rates among
California farmworkers.
The articles note the
Central Valley has the highest recorded levels of particulate
matter in the country, resulting in increased rates of asthma and other
respiratory illnesses.
The recent research points to possible environmental links between
pesticide exposure and the risk of diabetes.
"California's
hired farmworkers face increased risks of morbidity and mortality from
respiratory disease, musculoskeletal problems, infectious diseases,
stress-related mental
health disorders and lifestyle-related diseases such as
obesity," said UC Western Center Director
Marc Schenker.
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