Metabolic and Kidney Disorders

Updated May, 2022

* More exposure to air pollution, even short term, decreases insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, increases rates of Type I and Type II diabetes, and promotes obesity and metabolic syndrome.

*Prenatal exposure has a particularly strong association with childhood obesity. 

*Lipid metabolism is impaired, good cholesterol (HDL) is decreased, and bad cholesterol (LDL) is increased with more air pollution.

*Air pollution impairs thyroid function in pregnant mothers, thyroid development in the fetus and thyroid function in newborns.  Impaired thyroid function is a likely mechanism for air pollution causing low birth weight and can impair fetal brain development.

*Diesel exhaust impairs liver function.

*Early evidence shows air pollution impairs kidney function

[Medical references]