Abstract: Air pollution is a serious global public health problem. Air pollutants, especially fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), are associated with increased risks of various diseases. In recent years, studies have confirmed that PM_2.5 is closely related to chronic kidney disease, secondary kidney disease, and end-stage renal disease. This review summarized the effects of PM_2.5 and its components on kidney diseases, and the potential mechanism of kidney injury induced by PM_2.5 exposure from the aspects of inflammatory injury and oxidative stress, renal hemodynamic changes, and DNA damage and methylation, aiming to provide an insight for further mechanism research and the prevention and control of air pollution-induced kidney damage.