INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE . Edinburgh . UK www.iom-world.org

Get a life?!

John W Cherrie1,2 Andrew Apsley1

and Sean Semple1,2

1. Centre for Human Exposure Science, Institute of Occupational Medicine 2. Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, University of Aberdeen

Summary •  The exposome, from conception to death •  We’re in the 21st century

•  The internet of things •  The quantified self •  Citizen science

•  Sensors and the cloud •  Low-cost sensors and what they can do •  HEALS, the biggest environment and health

project in Europe •  The implications of all this for occupational

hygiene

Two-thirds of the deaths in the world are caused by noncommunicable diseases, especially cancer and cardiovascular disease

Only about 10% of this mortality attributed to genetic variation

The exposome is composed of every exposure to which an individual is subjected from conception to death.

Chris Wild

The Exposome… The exposome is composed of every exposure to which an individual is subjected from conception to death.

It comprises: •  processes internal to the body such as

metabolism, gut microflora, inflammation… •  external exposures including infectious agents,

chemical contaminants, diet… •  social, economic and psychological influences.

Wild, C. P. (2012). The exposome: from concept to utility. International Journal of Epidemiology, 41(1), 24–32.

Critical life stages

Wild, C. P. (2012).

Agnostic investigations…

•  Steve Rappaport recommends searching for potential causes without any prior hypothesis

•  Approach lends itself to “omics” technologies

•  Although other measurements can also contribute to this approach

•  Follow-up with more focused epidemiological and mechanistic studies

Measuring the exposome… •  “Omics” biomarkers, particularly

metabolomics and proteomics, from biobank samples

•  Small-low cost sensors, linked to smart phones or the Internet (of Things)

•  Integrated environmental sensors and sensor arrays

•  Collecting data using tablet computers etc – “citizen science” initiatives

•  Accessing “big data” stored others, e.g. electricity consumption, shopping habits

http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/introducing-our-smart-contact-lens.html

Internet of things...

The tile…

http://www.thetileapp.com/

Quantified self…

http://www.moves-app.com

https://www.fitbit.com

Citizen science…

•  Dylos DC 1700 •  Laser-based particle

counter •  1 min data logging

capability more than 6 days

•  Quiet •  Mains operated with

battery for 6 hours •  Low cost - £265

Semple S, Apsley A, MacCalman L. An inexpensive particle monitor for smoker behaviour modification in homes. Tob Control. 2013 Sep;22(5):295-8.

http://www.refreshproject.org.uk/

Calibration dataset (n=25,301)

r2 =0.86

Sidepak PM2.5 = 0.65 + 4.16 x 10-5[Dylos particles] + 1.57x10-11[Dylos particles]2

Dylos and occupational exposure…

Intragastric temperature…

Sensor packages…

€155

Smart sensor packages…

•  NetAtmo •  Measures

temperature, humidity, noise and CO2

•  Cloud enabled, syncs with phone, tablet and computer

•  Cost €176 http://www.netatmo.com

HEALS…

•  Health and Environment-wide Associations based on Large population Surveys

Isabella Annesi-Maesano,

www.heals-eu.eu

Prof. Dimosthenis Sarigiannis,

Important parameters… •  Location

•  Mobile phone technology

•  Activity (movement, orientation) •  Walking, running, transport •  Standing, sitting, lying

•  Temperature and humidity •  Indoor / outdoor

•  Light / dark (maybe UV) •  Indoor / outdoor pollutants •  Sound level •  Diet

http://mimobaby.com

Confidentiality?

•  Exposome projects will collect sensitive personal data

•  However, we mostly share personal data already

•  And sharing data will become commonplace •  Researchers will need to act

under normal rules of medical ethics

•  Practitioners may need to develop clear guidelines

Implications for occ. hygiene •  We need to become aware of the

possibilities •  Omics offers new ways to investigate work

exposures •  Accuracy and precision is not everything,

but tools need calibration •  Tracking location and behaviour provides

new data •  There are confidentiality issues to be

resolved •  Citizen science revolution is coming

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/programs/peph/podcasts/exposome/

Acknowledgement…

The HEALS project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 603946.