Research has shown that environmental factors are collectively 10 times more influential than an
individual’s genetic makeup in predicting premature mortality, with air quality, water quality, and
living conditions being major contributors. In fact, air pollution is considered the most
significant external threat to human life expectancy on the planet.
Given that more than 90% of our time is typically spent indoors—at home, workplaces, schools, public
spaces (like shops and restaurants), and in vehicles— our chemical exposures within indoor
environments play a crucial role in the totality of our exposome — the totality of human
environmental (non-genetic) exposures from conception onward, complementing the genome.
Within the built environment, exposure to physical and chemical factors such as lead in water,
pollutants in indoor air, and dust on surfaces are well-documented for their harmful effects on human
health. Additionally, factors such as lighting, thermal comfort, and acoustics significantly impact our
well-being.