Impact of Particulate Matter With an Aerodynamic Diameter

Abstract

Ambient air pollution has become 1 of the most important public health issues worldwide. In particular, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) is a fatal component of air pollution. We aimed to analyze whether perioperative exposure to PM2.5 is associated with the deterioration of renal function in living kidney donors. This study was conducted on 232 kidney donors with postoperative 2-year glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR was determined by serum creatinine-based method using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation and radionuclide-based method using 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy. Perioperative exposure to PM2.5 was calculated using data from the AIRKOREA System. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the associations between mean PM2.5 concentration and postoperative 2-year GFR. Postoperative Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-estimated GFRs of kidney donors with low PM2.5 concentrations were significantly higher than those of those with high PM2.5 concentrations. A 1-μg/m3 increase in mean PM2.5 concentration was associated with decreased GFR by 0.20 mL/min/1.73 m2. In addition, a 1-μg/m3 increase in mean PM2.5 concentration was associated with an 11% increased risk of chronic kidney disease stage ≥3 at 2 years after donor nephrectomy. In patients who underwent donor nephrectomy, exposure to PM2.5 negatively affects renal function and is positively associated with the prevalence of chronic kidney disease.