Unusual Story: Air Pollution Can Adversely Affect Your Kidneys

Researchers from the Saint Louis Medical System have found a linear relationship between air pollution levels and the risk of impaired kidney function and developing kidney disease or kidney failure. This article explains the key facts and context behind air pollution.

Key Facts About Air Pollution

The study revealed that kidney effects are related to particles and dust in environments with elevated levels of pollution. Previously, air pollution levels were also assessed by spatial sensors from NASA satellites.

Recently, leading researcher Ziyad Al-Aly examined the information of more than 2,482,737 US veterans at an average follow-up of about 8.5 years.

The results show that each year in the United States, 44,793 new cases of CKD (chronic kidney disease) and 2438 new cases of kidney failure are due to air pollution containing toxic dust exceeding the EPA recommended limit. 12 ?g / m3.

Why Air Pollution Matters

Dr. Al-Aly noted: "Even pollution of particles below the limits due to EPA is also harmful to the kidneys. . "

He said that the level of pollution is geographically uneven: the highest number of people suffering from dust exposure seems to be in southern California and in large areas of the Midwest, Northeast and South America.

These findings are also significant outside the United States, while environmental pollution is also affecting kidney disease in other parts of the world.

This research has just been published in the American Journal of Nephrology (JASN).