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.