Ambient
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with aerodynamic
diameters ≤ 2.5 μm) is thought to be associated with
the development of diabetes, but few studies traced the effects of
PM2.5 components and pollution sources on the change in
the fasting blood glucose (FBG). In the present study, we assessed
the associations of PM2.5 constituents and their sources
with the FBG in a general Chinese population aged over 40 years. Exposure
to PM2.5 was positively associated with the FBG level,
and each interquartile range (IQR) increase in a lag period of 30
days (18.4 μg/m3) showed the strongest association
with an elevated FBG of 0.16 mmol/L (95% confidence interval: 0.04,
0.28). Among various constituents, increases in exposed elemental
carbon, organic matter, arsenic, and heavy metals such as silver,
cadmium, lead, and zinc were associated with higher FBG, whereas barium
and chromium were associated with lower FBG levels. The elevated FBG
level was closely associated with the PM2.5 from coal combustion,
industrial sources, and vehicle emissions, while the association with
secondary sources was statistically insignificant. Improving air quality
by tracing back to the pollution sources would help to develop well-directed
policies to protect human health.