Ambient PM2.5 components and prevalence of chronic kidney disease: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in China

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health concern, and accumulating evidence has indicated that air pollution increases the odds of CKD. However, a limited number of studies have examined the long-term effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) components on the risk of CKD among general population; thus, major knowledge gaps remain. Using data from a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey in China and a validated PM2.5 composition dataset, we established generalized linear models to quantify the association between five major components of PM2.5 and CKD prevalence. There were significant associations between long-term exposure to three PM2.5 components [including black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42−), organic matter (OM)] and increased odds of CKD prevalence. Along with an interquartile range (IQR) increment in BC (3.3 μg/m3), SO42− (9.7 μg/m3), and OM (16.2 μg/m3) at a 4-year moving average, the odds ratios (ORs) for CKD prevalence were 1.28 (95