Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol

Purpose of reviewRecent evidence suggests that environmental exposures change the adult human microbiome. Here we review recent evidence on the impact of the work microbiome and work-related chemical, metal, and particulate exposures on the human microbiome.Recent findingsPrior literature on occupational microbial exposures have focused mainly on the respiratory effects of endotoxin, but a recent study suggests that not all endotoxin is the same; endotoxin from some species is pro-inflammatory, while endotoxin from other species is anti-inflammatory. Work with animals can change the adult human microbiome, likely through colonization. Early studies in military personnel and animal models of gulf war illness show that military exposures changes the gut microbiome and increases gut permeability. Heavy metal and particulate matter exposure, which are often elevated in occupational settings, also changes the gut microbiome.SummaryAn emerging body of literature shows that work-related exposures can change the human microbiome. The health effects of these changes are currently not well studied. If work exposures lead to disease through alterations in the human microbiome, exposure cessation without addressing changes to the human microbiome may be ineffective for disease prevention and treatment.K23 ES023700/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United StatesR01 AI144119/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United StatesT42 OH008416/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States2020-04-01T00:00:00Z30507717PMC63955037469vault:3388