Exposomics, a cutting-edge scientific method decodes the entirety of an individual’s lifetime environ mental exposures. This method, which has long been cast aside by genetic determinism, is currently at the forefront of industrial policy-making, ecological moni toring and health economics. It is crucial for developing sensible industrial and environmental policies in a state like Tamil Nadu, which is renowned for its industrial vi brancy and dense population.
WHY TAMIL NADU NEEDS EXPOSOMICS NOW
Tamil Nadu is India’s second most industrialised state. While this economic activity has propelled growth, it has also intensified air and water pollution, hazardous waste generation, and chemical exposures. Exposomics offers the state a proactive, predictive, and preventive public health strategy. Some critical examples include: • Vellore and Ranipet groundwater samples show high levels of chromium, lead, and arsenic, impacting over 2.5 lakh residents. •Tiruppur’s textile dyeing units have historically dis charged untreated effluents into the Noyyal River. • Chennai’s industrial zones, such as Ennore and Mana li, record dangerously high PM2.5 and heavy metal exposure, correlating with rising cancer and respiratory disease cases. Despite these known risks, policy actions remain reac tive and fragmented.
GLOBAL MODELS AND LOCAL LESSONS
Globally, exposomics is gaining traction. The EU’s EXI MIOUS and HEAP projects are integrating exposome data into health registries and insurance systems. The NIH Human Exposome Project in the US is aligning ex posomics with chronic disease monitoring and precision medicine. In India, the approach is still nascent. However, Tamil Nadu has a clear head start. Aca demic institutions like Anna University, IIT Madras, and SRM possess analytical infrastructure for exposomic research. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) can digitise and geotag exposure data. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance Bureau can use this intelligence to pre-screen locations for environmental risk and socioeconomic impact.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TAMIL NADU
The Government of Tamil Nadu should consider launch ing a state exposome monitoring programme coordinating with the Health and Family Welfare Department to sys tematically track and respond to environmental health risks. As part of this initiative, exposome risk assessments must be mandated during Environmental Impact Assess ment (EIA) processes for all high-risk industries. Integrating exposome data into public health records will enable targeted screening, timely medical interven tion, and better insurance planning. To advance research and policy, a dedicated Centre for Exposomics and Health Economics can be established in collaboration with lead ing universities and public health institutions. Public awareness should be actively promoted through mobile apps and outreach campaigns, particularly in industrial zones, to help citizens understand and mitigate the invis ible environmental risks they face daily.
THE ETHICAL DIMENSION
More data means more accountability. Three main eth ical issues are brought up by exposomics: informed consent, data protection and fair access to insights. In order to make science work for people rather than just industries, Tamil Nadu’s robust e-governance platforms, such as e-Sevai centres and the Tamil Nadu e-Gover nance Agency (TNeGA), can provide safe, consent-based platforms for community-level exposome monitoring. The state has the means to take India on this path via ex posomics, and it could even emerge as a global leader in fusing industrial policy with environmental health.
Dr. S K Prakash is a Senior Assistant Professor in Econom ics, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College. He rease arches on health economics and environmental policy.