Kidney Disease and Air Pollution

Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Increased Risk of Membranous Nephropathy in China (Abstract, Xin Xu, Guobao Wang, Nan Chen^†, Tao Lu*, Sheng Nie*, Gang Xu^‡, Ping Zhang^§, Yang Luo^‖, Yongping Wang*, Xiaobin Wang^¶, Joel Schwartz**, Jian Geng^††‡‡ and Fan Fan Hou, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Jun. 30, 2016)

Also discussed here: Air pollution linked to increased rates of kidney disease - Regions in China with high levels of fine particulate air pollution have elevated rates of membranous nephropathy (Science Daily, Jun. 30, 2016)

Today we review research on the impact of particulate matter (average annual PM2.5 in the range 6 to 114 μg/m³) on the risk of developing membranous nephropathy (MN), an immune disorder of the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure. Results showed that MN increased 13% over in the eleven year period.  

Key Quotes:  

“During the study period, 3-year average PM_2.5 exposure varied among the 282 cities, ranging from 6 to 114 μg/m³ (mean, 52.6 μg/m³). Each 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration associated with 14% higher odds for MN[membranous nephropathy]”

 “On average, the likelihood of developing membranous nephropathy, an immune disorder of the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure, increased 13% annually over the 11-year study period, whereas the proportions of other major kidney conditions remained stable. Regions with high levels of fine particulate air pollution had the highest rates of membranous nephropathy.”

"Our primary finding is that the frequency of membranous nephropathy has doubled over the last decade in China. We show that the increase corresponds closely with the regional distribution of particulate air pollution,"