EXPOSOME DESCRIPTION

Human health is influenced not only by genetic factors, but also by environmental exposures (such as air pollutants, chemicals, radiation etc.) and psychosocial stress. To help scientists study the effects that non-genetic factors have on human health, the exposome paradigm was proposed in 2005. The exposome can be described as a person's cumulative lifetime exposure to environmental factors and their related biological responses. Apart from direct health effects to individuals, the exposome can also alter genetic factors which may be passed down to future generations creating additional health concerns.

Climate change alters the exposome through various mechanisms, with possible impacts on the health and well-being of humans.