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Health
A study from the University of São Paulo links even low-level air pollution to increased kidney disease risk.
Even air pollution levels that meet international standards may raise the risk of kidney disease, according to a new study from the University of São Paulo. Researchers analyzed air quality data in the city from 2011 to 2021 and compared it with hospital admission rates for kidney conditions, focusing on fine particulate matter PM2.5 from vehicle exhaust and fuel burning.
The findings show that long-term exposure to these particles is linked to a higher risk of chronic kidney failure, acute kidney damage, and glomerular disorders—the structures responsible for blood filtration. The association was particularly strong among men, even when pollution levels remained within limits set by the World Health Organization.
Scientists explain that fine particles can enter the body, reach the bloodstream, and accumulate in kidney tissue, causing inflammation, cell damage, and accelerating tissue aging. Researchers are therefore calling for stricter air pollution limits, emphasizing that even "moderate" levels can have a significant health impact.
