Strategies for monitoring of the internal exposome using self-sampling methods in the context of EU EPHOR project

ABSTRACT

IntroductionWorking life exposures contribute significantly to non-communicable disease development. However, the challenge remains on how to map occupational exposures during the entire career and link exposures with health outcomes. In this context, the EU EPHOR project aims to characterize the internal exposome, by characterizing exposure biomarkers and biological pathways to link external exposure and health effects. While there is a range of strategies available to monitor the internal exposome, these conventional methods often require invasive collection of biological samples and/or high volumes. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forces us to look also at other approaches to obtain biological samples.ObjectiveWe aimed to explore the use of self-sampling techniques in an occupational exposome context.MethodsWe have conducted a semi-systematic literature review to identify self-sampling techniques used to generate high quality data on several biomarkers of exposure and effect. We are exploring the possibility of using these self-sampling techniques through a pilot study. A tiered analytical approach along with a biological sequence will be followed to efficiently analyze the samples (i.e. blood, urine, saliva, exhaled breath, exhaled breath aerosols and exhaled breath condensate) for a broad spectrum of biomarkers and omics. Additionally, non-invasive targeted and non-targeted exposome markers of acute lung function decline and inflammation will be developed through proteomic analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and exhaled breath VOCs using the ReCIVA Breath Sampler. These data will be integrated to generate signatures or ‘fingerprints’ of exposomes, at individual and group levels.Results and ConclusionThe developed methodology will be applied in 2 cohorts within the EPHOR project shift-workers and workers with asthma or allergic rhinitis to assess the internal exposure and elucidate biological pathways in disease development.