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Understanding the Exposome
The Physical Domain of the Exposome
What is the physical domain of the exposome?
In the context of Equal-Life, the physical exposome refers to the physical environmental influences to which an individual is exposed. It includes
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outdoor and indoor environmental quality (e.g., air and noise pollution),
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the built environment (e.g., building density, mobility network structure, surrounding industries),
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the natural environment (e.g., green and blue spaces),
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and lifestyle factors (e.g. physical activity, mobility, digital exposure).
The impact of the physical exposome on child mental health and cognition depends on the child’s developmental stage due to changing activities and changing vulnerabilities. For example, 0-3 year olds spent their time primarily at home while playing, eating/drinking, sleeping, and interacting. The 13-17 year olds spent their time much more outdoors while moving, meeting friends, sporting and shopping apart from home activities like doing their homework and screen use, while gaming and using social media. Examples for changing vulnerability are that specific brain regions mature at different ages and are more susceptible for environmental impacts dur-ing different developmental periods. In addition, children’s lifestyle habits, such as movement patterns and leisure activities expose them to different physical exposures independent of their residential location. Therefore, different aspects of the physical exposome require specific measures and indicators over the life course.
How are the physical exposures determined in Equal-Life?
The assessment of physical exposures has been done with a set of different methods. Partly, indicators are modelled through standardized protocols, e.g. for air pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at fixed locations in governmental monitoring networks. To extrapolate to other locations, such as home addresses, modelling techniques were used. Some exposure indicators were already modelled or measured within the existing cohort studies and therefore available for analysis. In some cases, to improve and standardize the existing external exposome indicators, harmonized protocols were developed under Equal-Life. Furthermore, available data sets were enriched using satellite data, geocoordinates and Global Land Survey (GLS) datasets. Standardised approaches were used to derive indicators for natural environment (e.g. green space indicator Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI), but also new techniques/metrics were developed to map new concepts such as co-accessibility of spaces, i.e. a metric reflecting how likely a place or amenity is used by people of different ages, promoting intergenerational encounters [www.equal-life-toolbox.eu].
Using untargeted analysis, a set of relevant physical exposures was identified that are important for mental health and cognitive development in children (see Deliverable D7.2 and D7.3).
In addition, the effects of physical exposures were investigated in targeted analysis using the cohort data as well as in-depth analysis (See the finding page)
What are relevant aspects and indicators for the physical domain of the exposome in relation to children’s mental health and cognitive develop-ment studied in Equal-Life?
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The outdoor environmental quality: e.g. e.g. noise and sound quality (e.g. road traffic noise), air quality (e.g. PM2.5, black carbon, NO2, O3).
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The indoor environmental quality: e.g. parental smoking in the house, crowding (number of people per room).
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The built environment: e.g. level of urbanization, street connectivity, junctions’ density, road types, land-use, crowding, walkability, access to facilities such as playground, sports ground, parks, culture and relevant moderators such as length of residency.
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The natural environment: e.g. green space, blue space, access to green and blue space (residential/school/on the move).
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Lifestyle factors: e.g. mother smoking during pregnancy, sleeping patterns (dura-tion/quality/rhythm), activity patterns, mobility/mode of commuting, leisure time, sports, playtime online, screen time
Relevant indicators are listed in Deliverable D7.2 and an indicator list. Notably, in Equal-Life, the relevance and impact of physical exposures for mental health and cognitive development of children were investigated through literature reviews, targeted and non-targeted analyses as well as new studies. Information on especially relevant indicators for specific age groups and in relation to specific outcomes can be viewed here and here.