A recent study has revealed that people living in countries with higher levels of air pollution like India and China are at higher risks of kidney diseases.

"The research is especially important for the cities with high air pollution where fine particulate matter levels are 5 to 10 times higher than in the US," the study revealed.

Air pollution has a direct impact on our health and polluted air can have detrimental effects on our health.

Studies have revealed that polluted air not just affects our lungs, but also our kidneys.

Hopkins University researcher Matthew F Blum says, "As rates of chronic kidney disease rise worldwide, it is important to understand whether and how exposure to air pollution plays a role."

The team examined 10,997 adults in four different US cities. These adults were followed from 1996-1998 through 2016.

The research findings were published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The monthly average levels of tiny particles of air pollution- called fine particulate matter- based on participants'' home addresses were estimated by the team.

"Fine particulate matter comes from a variety of sources including fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and natural sources," the team said.

Upon examination, the research team found that exposure to higher amounts of fine particulate matter was associated with a higher degree of albuminuria at the start of the study as well as a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease over time.

Albuminuria is a marker of kidney dysfunction.

The research team further said that future studies would examine whether efforts to improve air quality yield health benefits, including reducing rates of chronic kidney diseases or not.