Biomarkers in Air Pollution Exposure Health Risk Assessment

Section: Reviews
Keywords: air pollution, biomarker, biomonitoring, exposure assessment, respiratory health

Air pollution, a global environmental issue, is comprised of complex mixtures of gases and particulate matter which pose substantial health risks including respiratory diseases and cancer. Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological processes and are essential for understanding the health impact of air pollution. This study reviews key biomarkers associated with air pollution exposure and their implications for health risk assessment. Inflammatory biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, lung function parameters, and biomarkers of DNA damage emerged as crucial indicators of air pollution-induced health effects. The assessment of air pollution-related biomarkers may be performed using biomonitoring, exposure assessment, oxidative stress assays, genetic and epigenetic analysis, and omics technologies. Challenges and limitations in utilizing biomarkers for assessing health risks linked to air pollution exposure include response variability, specificity, multiple exposure sources, and ethical issues that hinder biomarker research and analysis. Future progress in biomarker detection technologies could involve the integration of multiomics methods, personalized exposure assessment techniques, wearable biosensors, detection of emerging pollutants, and a combination of biomarkers and artificial intelligence tools. Implementing biomarkers in regulatory decisions and public health policies can help mitigate air pollution’s adverse health effects and improve air quality standards.