A series of studies by DH Lee and colleagues uses CDC data from US populations. Findings describe associations among flame retardents, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. For instance, obese people with low blood-levels of POPs were less likely to develop diabetes than were slim people with elevated levels of POPs. 1. Association of Brominated Flame Retardants with Diabetes and Metabolic syndrome in the United States Population: 2003-2004. Diabetes Care. 2008 Jun 16. 2. Association between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and insulin resistance among nondiabetic adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care. 2007 Mar;30(3):622-8. 3. A strong dose-response relation between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and diabetes: results from the National Health and Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care. 2006 Jul;29(7):1638-44.