Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

exposome

Noun

/ɪkˈspōˌzōm/

Definition

The exposome refers to the totality of environmental exposures an individual encounters throughout their life, including chemical, physical, and biological factors.

Examples

Researchers are studying the exposome to better understand how various environmental factors contribute to chronic diseases.
Understanding an individual’s exposome may help tailor more effective health interventions.
The exposome can vary greatly among individuals due to lifestyle choices and living conditions.

Meaning

The concept encompasses all external factors that can influence health, from the air we breathe to the food we eat, essentially capturing the idea that genetics alone do not determine health outcomes. It is the cumulative measure of environmental exposures and their interactions with genetics.