Most people assume the air in their home is clean.
The truth is, it definitely isn’t.
Indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the EPA.
Every time you cook, clean, or even just sit in your home, you’re surrounded by invisible pollutants—mold spores, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and microscopic particles that make their way into your lungs and bloodstream.
If you live in a city or near traffic, it’s even worse. And your DNA can amplify it even further.
So I started looking at air filtration systems, analyzing what makes a purifier effective, which contaminants are the real problem, and why filtering air properly is more important than most people realize.
In this email, I’ll walk you through why I made these choices, how air quality directly impacts your health, and what genes you should look for to determine your sensitivity to air pollution.
Why I Care About Air Purification
The reason I care about air quality is simple: it affects everything.
Your energy levels, inflammation, sleep, and cognitive function all depend on the air you breathe.
These aren’t just minor annoyances.
Long-term exposure can cause chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which impact overall health.
But here’s what makes it even more interesting—your genetics play a massive role in how sensitive you are to air pollution.
Obviously, clean breathable air is the main goal, no matter what genes you carry.
But some people can tolerate a higher toxic load without noticing much, while others experience increased inflammation, fatigue, and cognitive decline from the same exposure.
Certain genes, like the STAT4 gene, are linked to immune system responses and inflammation, making some people more prone to negative effects from airborne pollutants.
STAT4, Cytokines, and Air Pollution
The STAT4 gene plays a key role in immune system regulation and inflammatory responses.
It is heavily involved in cytokine signaling, meaning it affects how your body reacts to environmental stressors—including airborne toxins, mold, and pollutants.
A negative STAT4 variant can make you more susceptible to inflammation triggered by air pollution, leading to higher levels of oxidative stress and immune activation.
This means that the same exposure to mold, VOCs, or heavy metals that someone else might tolerate could cause more inflammation and immune overreaction in you.
For those with a STAT4 risk variant, exposure to polluted air can contribute to symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, respiratory issues, and even autoimmune flare-ups.
That’s why air purifiers aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re a necessity.
If your body struggles to detoxify airborne pollutants efficiently, having the right air filtration system can make a massive difference in your overall health.
How Your Cells Handle Environmental Stress
Another critical gene related to air pollution sensitivity is HSP90B1.
The HSP90B1 gene encodes a heat shock protein that plays a major role in cellular stress response and immune system regulation.
It helps protect cells from environmental stressors, including pollution, toxins, and oxidative damage.
However, if you have a negative HSP90B1 variant, your ability to respond to environmental toxins and airborne pollutants may be compromised.
This can lead to increased inflammation, higher oxidative stress, and a greater risk of immune system dysregulation.
Exposure to airborne mold, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may cause heightened immune activation, respiratory irritation, and long-term inflammatory issues in individuals with an HSP90B1 risk variant.
This means that while some people can breathe in pollutants without immediate effects, those with HSP90B1 variants may experience worse symptoms from the same exposure.
I carry 2 risk alleles for this gene, but only 1 for the STAT4 gene.
And my overall risk score for air pollution is typical, due to the 27 other genetic variants SelfDecode looked at.
Even though my overall risk score for air pollution is typical, I still take air quality seriously.
The truth is, even minor genetic risks can stack up over time—especially if you live in a high-pollution environment. That’s why I always recommend checking your genes.
Are You More Susceptible To Air Pollution?
First and foremost, I suggest getting an air purifier, no matter what. But I also think it’s important to know the root cause of your health issues. Is it from the air, or something else?
The best way to know how much of an impact air pollution is having on you is to check your genes.
With SelfDecode, you can get a personalized genetic analysis to see how your body responds to air pollution, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Plus, you’ll receive targeted recommendations—from air purification strategies to supplements and lifestyle changes—to help you minimize risk and optimize your environment.
Don’t guess when it comes to your health. Find out how your genetics impact air pollution sensitivity today.
