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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
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Atmospheric stressors and kidney diseases
Seoyeong Ahn1, Hyewon Yun2, Seyoung Kim3
1Department of Information Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea.
Nature Reviews. Nephrology
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Atmospheric conditions like air pollution and extreme temperatures harm kidney health, increasing risks for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Identifying vulnerable populations is crucial for targeted nephrology interventions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Nephrology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Adverse effects of atmospheric conditions on human health are documented.
- Kidney health impacts of air pollution and extreme temperatures are often overlooked.
- Plausible biological mechanisms link atmospheric stressors to kidney damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the overlooked role of atmospheric conditions in kidney disease.
- To summarize emerging evidence on air pollutants and temperature extremes affecting kidney health.
- To identify potential mechanistic pathways and vulnerable populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, wildfire smoke) and temperature extremes.
- Inclusion of experimental findings supporting mechanistic pathways.
- Analysis of evidence on population vulnerability.
Main Results:
- Exposure to ambient air pollutants and extreme temperatures is linked to increased risks of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure.
- Atmospheric stressors contribute to declining kidney function and poorer health outcomes.
- Certain populations exhibit heightened vulnerability to these kidney-damaging stressors.
Conclusions:
- Atmospheric conditions pose a significant, yet underrecognized, threat to kidney health.
- Understanding mechanisms and identifying high-risk groups are vital for nephrology research and intervention.
- Targeted and pre-emptive actions are needed to mitigate the impact of environmental stressors on kidney disease.
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