Factors Shaping the Human Exposome in the Built Environment: Opportunities for Engineering Control

Abstract

The "exposome" is a term describing the summation of one's lifetime exposure to microbes and chemicals. Such exposures are now recognized as major drivers of human health and disease. Because humans spend ∼90% of their time indoors, the built environment exposome merits particular attention. Herein we utilize an engineering perspective to advance understanding of the factors that shape the built environment exposome and its influence on human wellness and disease, while simultaneously informing development of a framework for intentionally controlling the exposome to protect public health. Historically, engineers have been focused on controlling chemical and physical contaminants and on eradicating microbes; however, there is a growing awareness of the role of "beneficial" microbes. Here we consider the potential to selectively control the materials and chemistry of the built environment to positively influence the microbial and chemical components of the indoor exposome. Finally, we discuss research gaps that must be addressed to enable intentional engineering design, including the need to define a "healthy" built environment exposome and how to control it.

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

“…Mouse models provide a good starting point for epidemiological studies, but often react differentially in comparison to humans when exposed to the same compounds [240], due to differences in metabolic rates, prenatal development and immune system, and interactions related to social structure and use of their environment. Moreover, microbial and chemical exposure may be localized within a building, and the sum of an occupant's path through the built environment over time leads to tailored exposures from the built environment-recently coined 'exposomes' [241,242]. In recent years, a new technology, 'organ chips', has emerged as a potential medium through which to study the built environment.…”

Functional Ag‐Exchanged Zeolites as Biocide Agents

“…They populate food, tap water, air, furniture and all kind of surfaces. These microorganisms can develop dangerous health problems to human beings . Actually, only in the United States, it is estimated that healthcare associated infections produced by these microbes occur in about two million patients per year with a total number of deaths of 99,000 and a cost of $33 billion each year to the public health system .…”

Emerging concepts and challenges in implementing the exposome paradigm in allergic diseases and asthma: a Practall document

“…Both increased urbanization and the increased amount of time spent indoors (residences, workplaces, public buildings, etc.) to almost 80%‐90% point to the need to characterize the built environment exposome and the factors that shape it . Within the built environment, exposure to external physical factors, chemicals, or biological agents, including indoor allergens, pathogens, insects, and their associated biochemicals, impacts the risk of developing allergic diseases and asthma, and hampers the control of the disease.…”