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Meet the Hidden Influencer Impacting your Health: The Exposome

Lantern Lights is uncovering the unseen environmental factors messing with your life.

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Lantern Lights
December 17, 2024

Photo by Luke Stackpoole via Unsplashed

We’ve all felt it—that nagging sense that something might be off. The headaches that won’t quit. The fatigue that coffee can’t fix. The sneezing that won’t stop. The tiny signs our bodies send, whispering, “Hey, maybe pay attention to me?”

That’s where we come in.

Lantern Lights isn’t just a newsletter. It’s your guide to uncovering unseen influences, helping you take charge of your environment and your well-being. The name? Inspired by the Northern Lights.

According to Inuit mythology, the lights represent spirits offering guidance, connection, and hope. In the same way, we aim to shed light on what’s hidden and guide you toward choices that empower your health.

That is our mission. We’re here to light up the unseen—those little whispers or sometimes angry shouts in your environment that can affect how you feel, think, and thrive. 

And it all starts with a concept you should know about: The Exposome.

Wait, What’s the Exposome?

Back in 2005, a scientist named Dr Christopher Paul Wild, Ph.D coined this big, fancy word: Exposome. It’s a way of saying…

Hey, your health isn’t just about your genes — it’s about everything else, too.

The air you breathe, the water you drink, the products you use, the food you eat—it all leaves a mark. The exposome captures the totality of these environmental exposures over your lifetime.

Why does it matter? Because those everyday decisions—what you eat, where you live, how you clean your home—can add up. They shape your health, your energy, your ability to thrive. They can even impact things that are seemingly unrelated, like whether it’ll be easy to start a family someday.

Figure 1 by Rappaport, S. - Sch. Pub. Health at UC Berkeley Journal of Exp Sci and Env Epi (2011) 21, 5–9, Nature Publishing Group

The exposome is complex, but here’s the simple takeaway: the choices you make today matter. By addressing environmental factors now, you’re investing in a healthier future for yourself and your loved ones.

When the Exposome Hits Home, We All Know Someone with a Similar Story

Let me tell you a story about the woman who inspired Lantern Lights. In her 20’s she was living the dream in San Francisco. A 1920s rent-controlled Edwardian apartment, a vibrant social life, a great job at a tech company. But then came the health spiral.

First, it was little things—weight gain, fatigue, hair falling out. Weird stuff. Stuff that didn’t make sense.

Doctors? They mis-diagnosed. Specialists? They loaded her up with meds, none of which helped. It wasn’t until she started digging into her environment that she found the culprit: mold. Off the chart levels of toxic mold hiding in the walls of her charming, old apartment.

She moved out, and things got better—kind of. But not before the damage was done: PCOS. Metabolic syndrome. Autoimmune disease. And the hardest part? She was told she might not be able to have kids.

Her story isn’t unique. Our bodies are shaped by what’s around us in ways we don’t always realize. The good news? You can take back some control. Reducing your exposure to toxins today can mean a healthier, brighter future—for you and for the generations ahead.

Weekly Step Toward a Healthier Environment

Let’s talk mold.

It’s not the villain in every story, but when mold levels creep up in your home, they can mess with your health. The good news? You don’t need fancy gadgets to spot it, just taking a moment to look for it could be a great first step. Here’s how:

  • Look around for spots: Check for dark spots or stains on walls, ceilings, and floors—especially in damp areas like bathrooms or basements.

  • Follow your nose: Musty, earthy, or sour smells are big red flags, even if you don’t see any visible mold.

  • Notice the small details: Peeling wallpaper or warped walls could mean there’s moisture lurking—and where there’s moisture, there’s often mold.

If you suspect it, don’t panic. Catching it early can make all the difference. Just make sure to follow up with an ERMI lab test to verify.

Want to see more of the science? Check out how chemical exposure can affect women’s reproductive health.

Next Week: What Toxins are Hanging out in the Kitchen?

Next time, we’ll dive into the everyday products hiding in your home that might be doing more harm than good—and simple swaps that can make a big difference.

Until then,

– Lantern Lights

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