The effects of ambient coarse particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide on kidney disease risk: a cohort study

Chronic kidney disease is now linked to outdoor air pollution — adding yet another item to the growing list of health conditions impacted by this phenomenon. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, explored how coarse particulate matter, that is, particulate matter 10 micrometers or less — commonly known as PM10 — as well as chemicals such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), adversely affect the kidneys.

• Earlier studies have suggested that environmental air pollution is linked to kidney problems; however, the association between coarse particulate matter was unclear.
• In the current study, researchers looked at various databases, including those of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to create a cohort of U.S. veterans. The data was then used to study the correlation between PM10, NO2, and CO concentrations and incidences of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2012.
• To measure the risk of developing kidney disease, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was computed. For the study, the researchers looked at samples which have an eGFR of less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 square meters, and those who have posted an eGFR decline of 30 percent and more.
• The researchers found that having increased concentrations of PM10, NO2 and CO were associated with an eGFR of less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 square meters. The risk of having chronic kidney disease also increased with higher concentrations of PM10, NO2, and CO. Moreover, an eGFR decline of more than 30 percent and the risk of getting end-stage renal disease also increased with exposure to PM10, NO2, and CO.
• A monotonic increase in PM10, NO2, and CO concentrations may be associated with the risk of kidney outcomes, spline analyses suggested.

Researchers concluded that being exposed to higher concentrations of PM10, NO2, and CO can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, a decline in eGFR, and end-stage renal disease.

Find the full text of the study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Bowe B, Xie Y, Li T, Yan Y, Xian H, Al-Aly Z. ASSOCIATIONS OF AMBIENT COARSE PARTICULATE MATTER, NITROGEN DIOXIDE, AND CARBON MONOXIDE WITH THE RISK OF KIDNEY DISEASE: A COHORT STUDY. The Lancet Planetary Health. 2017;1(7). DOI: doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(17)30117-1