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In the first talk, Dr. Jos Bessems explained why the internal dose should be considered the key factor in creating toxicity. He showed that some chemicals can penetrate the human skin and be absorbed by it. The exact nature of this process depends on the route of penetration and other factors such as the skin’s hydration level but also age and gender. Dr. Anneli Julander focused on three case studies to explore the dynamics of skin penetration and absorption of metals as well as the so-called ‘reservoir effect’ observed for certain metals that through our skin may accumulate in the body over time. These case studies took us through the penetration of Nickel across damaged skin barriers (common for those who present atopic dermatitis), the role of skin as a previously neglected exposure route for cobalt and its importance especially in view of cobalt originating from nanoparticles (common in several modern industries and especially associated to 3D printing), and the potentially important reservoir effect for lead introduced through a study of lead exposure for workers in a brass foundry. Adding to the diversity of case studies, Dr. Jeroen Vanoirbeek introduced the case of firefighters and their exposure on the workplace to a complex mixture of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are rated as carcinogenic to humans and, according to previous studies, skin cancer appears to be the most prevalent type of cancer among firefighters. However, while respiratory (inhalation exposure) protection measures for firefighters are well-established, skin (dermal exposure) protection and risk assessment tools are much less so. This is where Dr. Vanoirbeek’s study comes into play, as he presented an assessment of different compounds that could be best suited as indicators of PAH exposure and internal dose, to determine dermal exposure. As the results of this study are currently preliminary and of confidential nature, they are not shared in the recording of the event at this point.

While there is still much to be understood about skin exposure dynamics, this symposium highlighted the diversity of chemicals that can penetrate the skin, the role they might play in the body and immune system and the variety of situations in which skin exposure to chemicals can take place. We are grateful to the invited guest speakers for sharing their latest research and taking us through this insightful discovery journey. 

We’re looking forward to more exposome research highlights and insights during the Spring/Summer 2023 edition of the EXIMIOUS Symposium, so stay tuned. If you’d like to be notified about the next EXIMIOUS Symposium you can also subscribe here and we’ll send you an invitation in due time.

The European Human Exposome Network (EHEN) just released its third newsletter and you don’t want to miss it. Alongside providing updates from the network’s working groups and the 9 exposome projects (including EXIMIOUS) that are part of it, the newsletter introduces the health impact of exposome reaserach, exploring the breadth and diversity of the diseases being studied by the EHEN projects.

How can the research outputs of EHEN have a concrete impact on health and what is th erole of policymakers? Which four health areas are of focus across the nine EHEN projects? What are autoimmune diseases, and did you know they are also of interest in exposome studies? You can find the answer to these and many other questions by reading the full Newsletter.

The newsletter also announces the launch of the EHEN Toolbox, where the tools developed by the projects are all collected in an online go-to resource for all stakeholders interested in exposome research. Moreover, in the newsletter you’ll also find the latest publications from all nine projects, with a featured publication from the LongITools project focused on cardiovascular health.

Enjoy the read!

To kick-off the event, Prof. Peter Hoet  and Dr. Manosij Ghosh (KU Leuven, EXIMIOUS coordinating team) introduced the EXIMIOUS project as part of the European Human Exposome Network (EHEN). Guest expert Dr. Tobias Stöger was then the first to present his work, on the mechanisms of particle-cell interactions during the course of particle-induced lung inflammation. As this involved some of the most recent findings from his lab, the presentation was not recorded, but keep a look out for upcoming publications to learn more. Bringing in the perspective of health related to climate change, Dr. Juan Aguilera discussed the role of climate change and air pollution in relation to immune changes and diseases in humans. To complete the theme of this symposium, normal versus pathological immune aging was presented by Prof. Niels Hellings, covering the key aspects of their triggers, measures, and intervention.

The symposium brought together more than 40 attendees, who participated in an insightful Q&A following each of the presentations. With a warm thank you to our guest experts, we’re looking forward to continue the exchange on the latest exposome research and to learn from leading experts in the field in the next EXIMIOUS Symposium. If you’d like to be notified about the next EXIMIOUS Symposium, subscribe here and we’ll send you an invitation in due time.

The European Human Exposome Network (EHEN) just released its second newsletter and you don’t want to miss it. Alongside providing updates from the network’s working groups and the 9 exposome projects (including EXIMIOUS) that are part of it, the newsletter introduces the key types of datasets used to explore how diverse environmental exposures, such as air pollution, our lifestyles and our workplaces, affect our health.

According to recent studies, as many as 20% of all deaths in Europe are related to environmental factors and only 4.3% of the entire population has a clean bill of health. That is why EHEN is working on ways to change those numbers for the better, by studying a broad range of exposures and creating a toolbox for improved health care.

What types of datasets are key to this research? How are the data used? How does the result of innovation, such as Google AirView Car work? You can find the answer to these and many other questions by reading the full Newsletter.

Moreover, the newsletter presents the recently published profile papers of 8 of the 9 EHEN projects, including EXIMIOUS, in which the concepts of exposome studies, exposure data collection and analysis are described.

Enjoy the read!