The Possible Consequences of Ignoring the Human Microbiome in Health Risk Assessment

摘要

Emerging research has shown that the microbiome can influence chemical metabolism and absorption and that chemical exposures can perturb microbiome composition and function. Although this research has clear implications for the assessment of human health risks from chemical exposures, risk assessments have not typically incorporated considerations of the human microbiome. Proper characterization of microbial exposures to chemicals would enhance the assessment process. The exposure science community has been relatively silent on chemical-microbiome interactions and their effects on exposure and ultimately risk. As noted in a recent report of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, "there is a need to expand the scope of exposure science to incorporate the emerging understanding of the roles of the human microbiome as an agent that influences exposure to and risks posed by environmental chemicals." Examples will be presented to illustrate how the microbiome might modulate the exposure of health risks posed by several environmental chemicals. Major microbiome sites - gut, skin, and respiratory tract - will be highlighted. Opportunities and challenges that might arise in integrating microbiome considerations into exposure science and risk assessment will be discussed.