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