Air pollution linked to increased rates of kidney disease

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-06/ason-apl062416.php

Public Release: 30-Jun-2016
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
American Society of Nephrology

Highlights

The likelihood of developing membranous nephropathy, an immune disorder of the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure, increased 13% annually over 11 years in China.
Regions with high levels of fine particulate air pollution had the highest rates of membranous nephropathy.

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"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," said Dr. Hou.