Sensitivity to Pollution and Envirotoxins
Detox efficiency for VOCs, exhaust, fragrances, and pesticides varies. Higher-sensitivity individuals feel city air, new car smell, and perfume counters—and often recover dramatically with cleaner environments and air filtration. It's not being "difficult." It's biology.
What this measures
How your DNA shapes sensitivity to pollution and envirotoxins.
NQO1 (NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1) is a key Phase II enzyme that protects against the oxidative damage from air pollution and many environmental toxins. GSTM1, GSTT1, and AHR (the aryl hydrocarbon receptor) handle clearance of specific environmental pollutant classes including PAHs, diesel exhaust, and industrial chemicals.
Carriers of NQO1 reduced-activity variants are associated with elevated oxidative damage from given pollution exposure levels — and may experience respiratory or systemic inflammatory symptoms in environments that don't bother neighbors. Carriers of GSTM1-null or GSTT1-null variants are associated with reduced clearance of specific pollutant classes. AHR variants shape inflammatory response.
Cruciferous vegetables (sulforaphane specifically) potently activate NQO1 and the broader Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. HEPA filtration significantly reduces indoor particulate exposure. Limiting outdoor exercise during high-pollution periods reduces acute load. Adequate antioxidant intake (vitamins C and E, polyphenols) buffers oxidative stress.
The "I felt better when I moved out of the city" or "wildfire smoke really hits me" pattern often reflects a variant-driven sensitivity rather than universal toxicity. Which NQO1/GST/AHR combination you carry decides whether pollution exposure is one of the more consequential environmental inputs to manage.
Sensitivity to Pollution and Envirotoxins is one specific finding in this system. Your Genomic Lifestyle Optimization Report shows where your variants place you on the toxin sensitivities spectrum — and what you can do about it: it renders as a dark card with a color marker calibrated to your variants, opening with the gene mechanism and closing with a practical, mechanism-led recommendation.
Want to see what a real Mosaic dark card looks like? Walk through a sample report →
In context
Environmental & Biotoxin Sensitivities: the 3-insight cluster.
Sensitivity to Pollution and Envirotoxins is one finding in a tightly-related cluster. Mosaic sequences the other 2 alongside it so you see the whole biology — not an isolated data point.
Questions people ask
About Sensitivity to Pollution and Envirotoxins.
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Read insight →Histamine Receptor Function
Same histamine level, wildly different reaction. High receptor sensitivity turns normal amounts into hives, racing heart, or anxiety—even when production and breakdown are fine. The issue isn't how much histamine you have. It's how loudly your body hears it.
Read insight →Histamine Transport Efficiency
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Read insight →Inorganic Metal Processing Capacity
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Read insight →
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