A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health5 also concluded that air pollution damages liver health. The study used pooled data from 10 separate observational studies, encompassing a total of over 14 million participants, to investigate the relationship between exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution and levels of liver enzymes in humans.
Air pollution is a silent menace with far-reaching health consequences, and it’s not just heavily polluted areas that are cause for alarm. Even seemingly low levels of chronic exposure pose significant health risks. In fact, over 99% of the global population lives in areas where air pollution surpasses the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safety guidelines. This widespread exposure underscores a startling truth — “safe” air is increasingly rare, and the health impacts are profound.
Research reveals that your liver is highly vulnerable to even low doses of chronic air pollution. Fatty liver disease, a condition where excess fat accumulates in your liver, is increasingly recognized as a consequence of exposure to fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. In short, seemingly insignificant long-term exposure to air pollution wreaks havoc on your metabolic function.