Exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

•Epidemiologic evidence on the potential role of ambient air pollution in MAFLD is limited.•This study found significant positive associations between air pollution and the odds of MAFLD.•Unhealthy lifestyle habits and the presence of central obesity may exacerbate the harmful effects.•This large-scale human study provides robust results and calls for more prospective studies.