A new study from Wayne State University shows breathing in air pollution, especially benzene, can raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Benzene is a pollutant found in common emissions like car exhaust and tobacco smoke. The report found a strong link between benzene exposure and insulin resistance.

Dr. Marianna Sadagurski, an environmental health sciences professor at Wayne State, led the study on how air pollution affects metabolism. She explained how long it takes for sugar levels to rise after being exposed to benzene.

“Within seven days, you already have changes in blood glucose levels,” Sadagurski said. “It does not mean that you already develop type 2 diabetes immediately, but that indicates that your blood glucose levels are continuously higher than normal.”

The researchers also discovered even short-term exposure to benzene affects how the brain handles insulin and causes inflammation in certain brain cells. This inflammation is connected to a specific pathway in the body. When they blocked this process in the brain cells, it helped fix the metabolism problems caused by benzene in the mice.

Dr. Sadagurski says their study was far-reaching.