Exposome

The exposome concept, initially described by Wild in 2005 and 2012, refers to the totality of exposures an individual is subjected to from conception and over a complete lifetime. The exposome concept was introduced as a complement to the genome initiative, highlighting the pressing need to consider the importance of both internal and external exposures for health. An exposome approach allows us to assess a dose perspective, interaction of exposures and sensitisation by exposure and the cumulative risks, taking into account time aspects such as critical periods for the health impacts. Furthermore, an exposome approach provides a comprehensive framework to study the causes and mechanisms driving social inequalities in health.