Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

In recent decades, there has been growing recognition of the profound influence of environmental factors on human health and disease. The concept of the exposome, coined to encompass the totality of environmental exposures throughout a person's life, has emerged as a valuable framework for studying the complex interplay between environmental determinants and health outcomes. From air pollution and chemical contaminants to social stressors and built environment characteristics, the environmental exposome encompasses a broad array of factors that shape health trajectories and disease risk. This article explores the concept of the environmental exposome, its impact on health, and strategies for mitigating environmental risks to promote well-being. The exposome encompasses the cumulative exposure to environmental factors across the lifespan, including chemical pollutants, biological agents, psychosocial stressors, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic determinants. Unlike the genome, which is relatively static, the exposome is dynamic and influenced by individual behaviors, occupational exposures, geographic location, and socio-cultural contexts. External exposures originate from the ambient environment and include air and water pollution, occupational hazards, ultraviolet radiation, noise pollution, and built environment characteristics such as urbanization, green space availability, and access to amenities. These exposures can have direct and indirect effects on health through respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic pathways. Internal exposures refer to the biological response to environmental factors at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. This includes the body's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of environmental toxins, as well as biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility. Internal exposome measures provide insights into biological mechanisms of disease and individual variability in response to environmental stressors. The social exposome encompasses the social, economic, and cultural factors that influence health outcomes, including socioeconomic status, education, employment, housing, neighborhood characteristics, social support networks, and access to healthcare services. Social exposures contribute to health inequities and disparities by shaping living conditions, resource availability, and opportunities for health promotion and disease prevention. Air pollution, indoor air quality, and occupational exposures to airborne contaminants contribute to respiratory conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. Environmental neurotoxicants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollutants, have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorders), cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), and mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety). Implementing and enforcing regulations and policies to reduce exposure to environmental pollutants and hazardous substances, improve air and water quality standards, and promote sustainable practices in energy, transportation, agriculture, and waste management. Investing in pollution prevention technologies, clean energy alternatives, emission controls, and waste reduction measures to minimize environmental contamination and mitigate the health impacts of air, water, and soil pollution. Enhancing environmental monitoring systems, biomonitoring programs, and public health surveillance networks to track environmental exposures, assess population-level health risks, and inform evidence-based interventions and policy decisions. The environmental exposome represents a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interactions between environmental factors and human health. By recognizing the diverse array of environmental exposures that influence health outcomes across the lifespan, we can develop holistic approaches to disease prevention, health promotion, and environmental stewardship. By addressing environmental health challenges through evidence-based interventions, policy reforms, and collective action, we can create healthier, more resilient communities and safeguard the well-being of current and future generations.

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The author declares there is no conflict of interest in publishing this article.