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

TLDR

The exposome captures the cumulative lifetime exposure to microbes and chemicals, which are now recognized as major drivers of health and disease, and because humans spend ~90 % of their time indoors, the built environment exposome warrants special attention. This study aims to use an engineering perspective to elucidate the factors shaping the built environment exposome and to develop a framework for intentionally controlling it to protect public health. The authors propose selectively controlling building materials and chemistry to positively influence indoor microbial and chemical exposures, and identify research gaps such as defining a healthy exposome and methods for its 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.