Polluted air increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which occurs when a person's kidneys are damaged, or cannot filter blood properly, researchers, including one of Indian origin, have found, reports IANS.
The study highlighted that people with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or heart disease are at an increased risk of developing CKD.
Apart from PM2.5, air pollution also contains heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium-all of which are known to negatively affect the kidneys.
Researchers from the University of Michigan in the US, warn high risk patients who live in heavily populated areas to recognise the danger and take precautions.
"Similar to smoking, air pollution contains harmful toxins that can directly affect the kidneys," said lead author Jennifer Bragg-Gresham, from the varsity.
"Kidneys have a large volume of blood flowing through them, and if anything harms the circulatory system, the kidneys will be the first to sense those effects," she added.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
