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Impact and Consequence
Beyond Science
- Nature
- Research
- Sustainability
- Off the Bench
- Exploring Life
Environmental factors such as noise, fine particulates in the air and stress make up our exposome. Its study promises enormous potential for medicine.
Quiet and surrounded by nature – given a choice, this type of residential area would be preferred by many people. Parents like to see their children play outside; dog owners value walkways nearby, and athletes also get their fair share. However, the advantages of a home in such a neighborhood far surpass the creature comforts of everyday life: fresh air and low noise levels protect the heart. “In Europe, more than 130 million people are chronically stressed by traffic noise”, says Professor Thomas Münzel, “which contributes to sleep disruption, hypertension and heart attacks.”
Münzel is a senior professor at the Center for Cardiology at University Medical Center in Mainz and lead investigator at the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Moreover, his research shows that across the EU, every year, more than 400,000 premature deaths are connected to elevated levels of fine particulate matter. Fine particulates are generated mainly through road traffic, and it increases the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes and vascular aging. Noise and air pollution are among those environmental factors with the largest impact on our health; in fact, factors such as these have been studied for the past 20 years and given the designation “exposome”.
The exposome comprises all those environmental factors to which a human is exposed during their lifetime, from the air we breathe, to noise, light, water and soil, all the way to stress, nutrition, exercise and social conditions. “In short: we inherit the genome, but we experience the exposome”, explains Münzel. “Roughly two thirds of all chronic diseases are in part caused by environmental factors.” Münzel is among those scientists who introduced the exposome concept to cardiology. This approach looks at the human in a holistic manner; the human as part of a system that may benefit him – or not.
Many environmental factors must act over a long period of time before they will do damage – chemical pollution, for example, counts among the most important risk factors. The health consequences of pesticides or microplastics in the body evolve over years or even decades.
Münzel is a senior professor at the Center for Cardiology at University Medical Center in Mainz and lead investigator at the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). Moreover, his research shows that across the EU, every year, more than 400,000 premature deaths are connected to elevated levels of fine particulate matter. Fine particulates are generated mainly through road traffic, and it increases the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes and vascular aging. Noise and air pollution are among those environmental factors with the largest impact on our health; in fact, factors such as these have been studied for the past 20 years and given the designation “exposome”.
Humans as part of a system
The exposome comprises all those environmental factors to which a human is exposed during their lifetime, from the air we breathe, to noise, light, water and soil, all the way to stress, nutrition, exercise and social conditions. “In short: we inherit the genome, but we experience the exposome”, explains Münzel. “Roughly two thirds of all chronic diseases are in part caused by environmental factors.” Münzel is among those scientists who introduced the exposome concept to cardiology. This approach looks at the human in a holistic manner; the human as part of a system that may benefit him – or not.
Many environmental factors must act over a long period of time before they will do damage – chemical pollution, for example, counts among the most important risk factors. The health consequences of pesticides or microplastics in the body evolve over years or even decades.
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The same is true for smoking and psychosocial factors such as fear, loneliness or stress. This poses a number of methodological challenges to those investigating the exposome. Double-blind laboratory studies, often considered the gold standard, are neither possible nor meaningful; rather, longitudinal epidemiological studies are needed when it comes to observing the effects of environmental factors. Using a variety of different data sources, researchers are attempting to capture the individual stressors to which study participants are exposed over an extended period of time. To this end, they utilize satellite data on air quality, noise and light, as well as sensors and smart watches worn by participants.
The digital fingerprint of the environment as detected in the body
The stressors a person experiences through environmental influences are correlated with biological changes inside the body. These can be measured via “omics” analyses. “A digital fingerprint of the environment is created in the body, a kind of ‘biochemical diary’ of our lives”, says Professor Münzel. These analyses allow deductions regarding metabolic processes which are subject to change based on environmental factors.
Exposome analyses could potentially initiate a revolution in prevention and diagnostics, says Thomas Münzel: “‘Molecular signatures’ enable the detection of environmental stressors in the blood before diseases will become apparent.” Even personalized prevention will be possible: those who react strongly to noise or dust particulates may be protected more effectively.
The cardiologist also envisions great potential for new therapeutic approaches. Environmental factors exert their influence via biochemical signaling pathways including oxidative stress and disruptions of the circadian rhythm – the body’s internal clock. “The knowledge gained from exposome research opens up novel therapeutic options for diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiac insufficiency”, says Münzel.
A risky lifestyle
For the scientist and many of his colleagues, this still very young field of research carries with it political responsibility: environmental stressors are to be included in guidelines and health policy as modifiable risk factors. He says: “The safeguarding of health does not begin in the clinic but rather with city planning and everyday life.” Many of the exposome risk factors are directly connected to our modern way of life: traffic, industrial manufacturing, food production and much more. Changing these systems is beyond the capabilities of the individual.
Yet, everyone can improve their own personal exposome, says Thomas Münzel. His advice: do not smoke, reduce noise, stay away from the cell phone while in bed, get some exercise outside in nature, pay attention to a healthy diet and, if possible, choose organic. Air out indoor spaces regularly and stay in touch with friends and family. None of this is new, but over a lifetime, these influences add up. Many diseases can be prevented before they emerge – with the added benefit of the immediate joy of taking the dog for a walk or running through the forest.
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