Even low levels of air pollution could damage your kidneys 

Besides, negative effects on cardiovascular health and life expectancy, increased exposure to air pollution may also harm your kidneys, researchers warn.

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What study suggests?

• The study suggests that there really is no “safe” level for air pollution.
• As even the lowest levels of particulate matter in the air can do great harm to the kidneys and lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• In addition,a decline in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) the rate of blood flow through the kidneys.
• As well as end stage renal disease (ESRD)  the last stage of CKD.
• Even levels below the limit set by the EPA were harmful to the kidneys.
• This suggests that there is no safe level of air pollution,” said Researchers.
• Our findings demonstrate a significant association between exposure to PM2.5 and risk of incident CKD, eGFR decline, and ESRD.
• When we breathe, tiny particles present in the dirty air pass through our lungs and enter our bloodstream to finally reach kidneys.
• Kidneys our body’s main filters shift these particles out of the blood.
• However, excess exposure to these harmful pollutants reduces the efficacy of the process,Researchers explained.

Examination:

• For the study,the team examined information on 2,482,737 US veterans who were followed for a median of 8.5 years.
• Air pollution levels were also assessed using space-borne sensors from NASA satellites.
• The researchers found a linear relationship between air pollution levels.
• And risk of experiencing kidney function decline and of developing kidney disease or kidney failure.
• Each year in the US, 44,793 new cases of chronic kidney disease.
• In addition,2438 new cases of kidney failure are attributed.
• To particulate matter air pollution exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limit of 12 µg/m3, the researchers said.