Can High Ozone Levels Cause Significant Lung Damage in Diabetics?

How is ozone gas harmful to the lungs?

• Inflammation of the space between the lungs and its parenchyma (outer covering)
• Increased production of inflammatory mediators in the lungs
• Increased risk of asthma 
• Change in the architecture of lungs
• Scarring of the lungs resulting in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

How do high ozone levels affect the lungs of people with diabetes?

• There is a direct relationship between insulin resistance levels and the severity of inflammation and scarring in the lungs.
• Diabetes prone subjects were more susceptible to inflammation and showed excessive changes in the lung tissues after getting exposed to ozone repeatedly.
• Exposure to ozone can exacerbate scarring of lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) in diabetics.

What can be done to prevent lung damage?

• People diagnosed with diabetes must keep their blood sugar levels under control. Those with a family history of diabetes must get their blood sugar levels checked every 3 months.
• Diabetics and pre-diabetics must avoid high-fat, calorie-rich food as it can lead to obesity and insulin resistance in the body. They must take up some form of exercise to keep themselves active and healthy.
• People with diabetes living in extremely polluted cities must avoid stepping out of their homes early in the morning as the pollution levels are at a peak during those hours. They must keep their windows closed during the mornings and evenings.
• Before stepping out, affected people must use a good quality mask preferably N95, N99 or N100 mask as they can filter out the finest pollution particles.
• People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can install air purifiers at their homes to filter out the pollutants from the indoor air.

Conclusion