Sex and Gender Differences in the Susceptibility to Environmental Exposures

Silveyra, Patricia; Al Housseiny, Heba; Rebuli, Meghan E.

In the past 50 years, the number of publications on air pollution and lung disease has increased considerably, although the number of studies considering sex (a biologic factor), or gender (a social construct), has remained low and stagnant. Accumulating data from studies assessing the effects of the environment on lung health have shown direct associations of air pollution exposures with lung inflammation. Sex-specific disaggregation of data has indicated that substantial – but frequently overlooked – differences exist between men and women, highlighting the importance of sex- and gender-stratified analyses to guide the deployment of safe and effective therapeutics options for males and females. In this chapter, we present an overview of the scientific evidence on differential effects of environmental exposures in men and women. We summarize clinical studies and research using animal models aiming to elucidate sex-specific mechanisms of inflammation and toxicity from a wide range of air pollutants. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to the development of more personalized prevention efforts and better-informed environmental policies accounting for sex, gender, and hormonal status.