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Use of Exposomic Methods Incorporating Sensors in Environmental Epidemiology

  • Susceptibility Factors in Environmental Health (Z Liew and K Pollitt, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The exposome is a recently coined concept that comprises the totality of nongenetic factors that affect human health. It is recognized as a major conceptual advancement in environmental epidemiology, and there is increased demand for technologies that capture the spatial, temporal, and chemical variability of exposures across individuals (i.e., “exposomic sensors”). We review a selection of these tools, highlighting their strengths and limitations with regard to epidemiological research.

Recent Findings

Wearable passive samplers are emerging as promising exposomic sensors for individuals. In conjunction with targeted and untargeted assays, these sensors enable the measurement of complex multipollutant mixtures, which can include both known and previously unknown environmental contaminants. Because of their minimally burdensome and noninvasive nature, they are deployable among sensitive populations, such as seniors, pregnant women, and children. The integration of exposomic data captured by these sensors with other omic data (e.g., transcriptomic and metabolomic) presents exciting opportunities for investigating disease risk factors. For example, the linkage of exposomic sensor data with other omic data may indicate perturbation by multipollutant mixtures at multiple physiological levels, which would strengthen evidence of their effects and potentially indicate targets for interventions. However, there remain considerable theoretical and methodological challenges that must be overcome to realize the potential promise of omic integration.

Summary

Through continued investment and improvement in exposomic sensor technologies, it may be possible to refine their application and reduce their outstanding limitations to advance the fields of exposure science and epidemiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA

    Brett T. Doherty & Megan E. Romano

  2. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Room 510, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Jeremy P. Koelmel, Elizabeth Z. Lin & Krystal J. Godri Pollitt

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Doherty, B.T., Koelmel, J.P., Lin, E.Z. et al. Use of Exposomic Methods Incorporating Sensors in Environmental Epidemiology. Curr Envir Health Rpt 8, 34–41 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-021-00306-8

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