The harm of air pollution to public health has become a research hotspot, especially atmospheric fine-particulate matter (PM2.5). In recent years, epidemiological investigations have confirmed that PM2.5 is closely related to chronic kidney disease and membranous nephropathy Basic research has demonstrated that PM2.5 has an impact on the normal function of the kidneys through accumulation in the kidney, endothelial dysfunction, abnormal renin-angiotensin system, and immune complex deposition. Moreover, the mechanism of PM2.5 damage to the kidney involves inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, DNA damage, and autophagy. In this review, we summarized the latest developments in the effects of PM2.5 on kidney disease in human and animal studies, so as to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease.