Associations between Personal PM_2.5 Elemental Constituents and Decline of Kidney Function in Older Individuals: the China BAPE Study

Abstract

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is associated with kidney dysfunction. However, few studies have investigated acute effects of PM_2.5 elemental constituents on renal function. We evaluated associations between personal PM_2.5 and its elemental constituents and kidney function, assessed by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in Biomarkers of Air Pollutants Exposure in the Chinese aged 60-69 study. Seventy one older individuals were visited monthly between September 2018 and January 2019. Each participant wore a PM_2.5 monitor for 72 h, responded to a questionnaire, and underwent a physical examination with blood sampling. Linear mixed-effect models were used to estimate associations between personal PM_2.5 elemental constituents and eGFR. We found that significant changes in eGFR from -1.69% [95% confidence interval (CI): -3.34%, -0.01%] to -3.27% (95% CI: -5.04%, -1.47%) were associated with interquartile range (IQR) increases in individual PM_2.5 exposures at various lag periods (7-12, 13-24, 0-24, 25-48, and 49-72 h). An IQR increase in 72 h moving averages of copper, manganese, and titanium in personal PM_2.5 corresponded to -2.34% (95% CI: -3.67%, -0.99%) to -4.56% (95% CI: -7.04%, -2.00%) changes in eGFR. Personal PM_2.5 and some of its elemental constituents are inversely associated with eGFR in older individuals.