Chronic lung diseases (CLDs) are a leading cause of illness and death in Europe and significantly reduce quality of life. They also have major societal and economic impacts, including lost productivity for patients and caregivers, effects on education, and increased healthcare costs. Socio-economically disadvantaged populations are particularly affected by CLDs.

The impact of these diseases could be reduced through prevention measures, such as raising public awareness, limiting exposure to pollutants, and identifying populations at risk. Early detection is especially important, as CLDs often start early in life but remain unnoticed for a long time. Disease development and progression could be prevented if we can find measurable markers or signs, known as biomarkers, that tell a medical professional what is taking place inside a patient’s body

The airborne exposome is a term to describe all the environmental exposures we inhale from conception onwards. It has recently been identified as a key trigger for CLDs. The underlying processes of what is happening in the body are not fully understood, highlighting the need for coordinated laboratory (in vitro) studies. These findings will be combined with clinical data and tested in studies in people (in vivo) to clarify how the exposome affects existing groups of CLD patients.

EXPLAIN-IT brings together patients, clinicians, and researchers to study the exposome in CLDs. Our approach includes:

1. Collecting data on the effects of the exposome on healthy individuals, high-risk populations, and CLD patients.
2. Identifying novel biomarkers for early detection and disease progression.
3. Investigating how the exposome biologically affects the lungs.

The results will improve communication between patients and clinicians about exposome-related risks, guide policymakers to promote healthier environments, and provide evidence to support disease awareness and health promotion activities.

The mission of EXPLAIN-IT is to map the impact of the airborne exposome on the development and progression of chronic lung diseases (CLDs).

To achieve this, we will create a European network of key stakeholders, centered on patients and, when relevant, their caregivers. This network will also include scientists and clinicians from diverse fields, such as respiratory health, toxicology, immunology, epidemiology, and disease prevention.

1. Build a European network of patients, clinicians, and scientists focused on human exposome research.
2. Review current research to:
   – Summarise existing knowledge
   – Identify research gaps
   – Pinpoint new biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring exposome-linked CLDs
3. Integrate existing databases and patient cohorts to address knowledge gaps and apply new biomarkers, reaching consensus on how this data enhances understanding of the exposome’s role in CLDs.
4. Explore the biological mechanisms through which the exposome contributes to CLD development and progression.
5. Develop educational tools to raise awareness about the exposome’s impact and promote healthier environments.
6. Contribute to European guidelines and create advisory boards on how to study and describe the exposome in relation to CLDs.