New research suggests that people may have a higher risk of kidney disease if they live in areas with high air pollution.
Exposure to fine particles of air pollution, called fine particles, is known to increase people's risk of heart and lung disease, but its effects on kidney health have not been clear.
To investigate this correlation, the team of Professor Luxia Zhang, M.A. in Public Health and Professor in the Department of Kidneys at Beijing University Hospital I and Dr. Shaowu, Professor of Medicine at Peking University, analyzed survey data of 47,204 adults in China and estimated air pollution levels for two years of residential address of each participant from satellite-based information.
The results found that approximately 10.8% of participants suffered from chronic kidney disease. Each increase of 10 μg/min, in the concentration of fine particles in participants' addresses, was associated with a 1.3 times higher probability of infection.
This association was significantly stronger in urban areas, males, younger participants and participants without accompanying conditions.
"Although ambient air quality has improved significantly over the past five years in China, China's national annual particle level exceeds WHO guidelines," Zhang said.
The authors noted that the findings provide evidence to policymakers and public health officials on the need for stricter air quality control measures to help protect the kidney health of individuals.
Source: medicalxpress
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