Exposure to Environmental Toxins Makes You Age Faster

• Identifying the biological impact of environmental chemicals — The study population consisted of 2,346 adults between the ages of 50 and 84, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of how environmental toxins influence aging at a national level.

• Blood and urine samples were used to measure chemical levels — Researchers compared the participants’ chemical levels to epigenetic aging markers, specifically looking at changes in DNA methylation patterns linked to accelerated aging. Among the various chemicals investigated, three had the strongest associations to accelerated biological aging — cadmium, lead, and cotinine.²

• Exposure to toxic metals significantly increased “epigenetic age acceleration” — This means people exposed to higher levels of these chemicals were biologically older than their actual age. The researchers found that individuals with higher levels of cadmium and lead had significantly increased biological age, making them more susceptible to chronic diseases and premature death.

• Cadmium exposure stood out as a particularly strong driver of aging — A one standard deviation (SD) increase in blood cadmium levels was associated with an additional 1.23 years of biological aging. Having higher cadmium levels also accelerated the pace of aging over time, rather than just influencing a single point in time.

• Lead exposure had a similar but slightly weaker impact on aging markers — A one SD increase in blood lead levels resulted in a 0.73 to 0.67-year increase in age acceleration. Although not as pronounced as those of cadmium, the effects were still significant enough to confirm that lead exposure is a major factor in aging at the cellular level.

• Smoking also ages you faster — Cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine and a marker of tobacco exposure, was found to independently contribute to increased biological age. However, even after adjusting for smoking status, cadmium and lead exposure still led to accelerated aging, proving that these heavy metals are harmful regardless of whether you smoke or not.

This means that the impact of heavy metals on biological aging is not just a reflection of lifestyle differences but a direct effect of these toxins on the body. The findings were strongest in former smokers, suggesting that long-term exposure to these metals continues to influence biological aging even after someone stops smoking.³

• Toxic chemicals mess up your DNA and trigger inflammation — When DNA methylation patterns become altered due to toxic exposure, genes related to inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function become dysregulated. This leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impaired energy production within cells — all of which accelerate the aging process.

• Cadmium interferes with your body’s ability to maintain proper calcium signaling — This is necessary for healthy mitochondrial function.⁵ By disrupting calcium homeostasis, cadmium contributes to mitochondrial damage, reducing the ability of cells to generate ATP, the energy currency of the body. This leads to increased cellular stress, DNA damage, and premature cell death, all of which contribute to biological aging and disease susceptibility.

• Lead has been linked to cognitive decline, memory loss and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases — It competes with calcium in the body, interfering with essential signaling pathways and leading to widespread cellular dysfunction.⁶ Over time, this damage accumulates, contributing to the progression of age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease and dementia.

To learn more about the damaging effects of lead, read “Toxic Legacy — How Lead Exposure Silently Fueled America’s Mental Health Crisis.”

• Environmental exposures were far more influential in determining lifespan and disease risk — The researchers examined over 25 different environmental exposures linked to aging, including pollutants, lifestyle habits and socioeconomic conditions. It also looked at the impact of genetics using polygenic risk scores — an assessment of how an individual’s genetic profile influences their likelihood of developing various diseases.

• Environment, not genes, determine mortality risk — They found that genes explained less than 2% of the variation in mortality, while environmental factors accounted for a staggering 17% — more than eight times the genetic contribution.

• Breaking down the research by disease revealed an interesting pattern — The researchers found that genetics played a larger role in certain diseases, such as dementia and some cancers, while environmental factors were dominant in others. For conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and liver disease, environmental exposures explained anywhere from 5.5% to nearly 50% of disease variation.⁹

• The link between environmental exposures and biological aging markers — Proteomic age clocks are biological clocks that measure the molecular changes in proteins. They reflect your true biological age, rather than your chronological age.

• Toxic chemical exposures accelerated proteomic aging — According to the research, this aging process was linked to higher rates of multimorbidity — the presence of multiple chronic diseases simultaneously.

• The importance of lifestyle interventions — The good news is that while genetics are fixed, environmental exposures can be modified. Avoiding toxins, improving air quality, and making conscious dietary choices could dramatically slow down your aging process and reduce disease risk.

• Environmental factors influence the body’s core aging processes at a molecular level — The researchers found that these factors impact everything, from inflammation to cellular energy production. Their findings reinforce the idea that external exposures are more powerful drivers of aging than genetics alone.¹²

• Air pollution impacts DNA methylation — One of the most significant findings was that air pollution disrupts essential biological functions, increasing your risk for chronic diseases like heart disease, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders. The study found that exposure to fine particulate matter from vehicle emissions and industrial sources was associated with age acceleration markers, making individuals biologically older than their actual chronological age.

• EDCs also played a major role in biological aging — These chemicals, which are commonly found in plastics, pesticides, and household products, interfere with hormone function, leading to widespread metabolic and inflammatory disturbances.

• People with higher exposure to EDCs have increased DNA methylation age — Their bodies are aging faster at a molecular level. Researchers pointed out that even low-dose exposure over time accumulates and contributes to long-term health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

• Certain toxic exposures caused more harm than others — While air pollution and heavy metals both accelerated aging, researchers discovered that EDCs had an even stronger effect on DNA methylation changes. These chemicals don’t just interfere with hormone balance — they actively alter genetic expression, leading to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and accelerating cellular wear and tear.

• The damaging effects of pollutants also vary among age groups — Older individuals showed the most pronounced effects from long-term exposure, but younger populations were not immune. Researchers found that even people in their 30s and 40s with high exposure levels had aging markers similar to individuals 10 to 15 years older.

1. Filter your indoor air — The air you breathe is one of the biggest sources of toxic exposure. Air pollution accelerates DNA damage and causes chronic inflammation. If you live in an area with high pollution levels, invest in a high-quality HEPA air purifier for your home. Keep windows closed during high-smog days and avoid outdoor exercise near traffic-heavy roads.

Read “Low-Dose Chronic Air Pollution Wreaks Havoc on Metabolic Function” for more information on how air pollution harms your health.

2. Install a high-quality water filter — Tap water is another major source of toxic chemicals, including lead and cadmium. Use a high-quality water filter that efficiently removes heavy metals and EDCs. For more ways on how to protect your water supply, read “Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Tap and Bottled Water.”

3. Avoid processed foods and industrial oils — Your diet plays a huge role in toxin exposure. Many processed foods contain additives, preservatives and oils that disrupt hormone function and increase oxidative stress. Cut out vegetable oils (such as soybean, corn, and canola oil) and replace them with healthier options like grass fed butter, ghee, and tallow.

Avoid non-organic fruits and vegetables that are high in pesticide residues, which have been linked to faster aging. If you eat fish, choose wild-caught varieties over farmed to minimize exposure to mercury and other heavy metals.

4. Ditch plastic and chemical-laden products — EDCs are found in plastics, personal care products and household cleaners. These chemicals interfere with hormone function, accelerating biological aging and increasing disease risk. Stop using plastic containers, especially for fatty foods, as many EDCs are fat soluble. Switch to glass or stainless steel instead.

Read ingredient labels on personal care products and avoid anything with parabens, phthalates, or artificial fragrances. Replace conventional household cleaners with nontoxic alternatives like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.

5. Get more sunlight and support mitochondrial health — Sunlight is crucial for maintaining optimal cellular energy production. Exposure to natural light regulates circadian rhythms, enhances mitochondrial function, and reduces inflammation. Spend time outdoors daily, especially in the morning, to help your body synchronize with natural light cycles.

If you’ve been consuming seed oils for years, avoid high-intensity sun exposure until they are removed from your system, a process that takes at least six months. Methylene blue is another powerful tool for supporting mitochondrial health and counteracting oxidative stress. Look for pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue in tablet or capsule form and take it at the recommended dose of 5 mg once per day.

6. Support detoxification through movement and nutrition — Your body is constantly working to remove toxins, but it needs support. Regular physical activity increases circulation, helping to flush out stored toxins. Walking, resistance training and sweating through sauna use are all effective strategies.

Nutritionally, focus on foods that support liver function and toxin elimination. Grass fed meats, eggs and collagen provide essential amino acids that aid detox pathways. Avoid high-fiber diets if you have a compromised gut microbiome, as fiber can increase endotoxin levels and contribute to inflammation. If you have a severely damaged gut, start with whole fruits and white rice before moving on to more complex, fiber-rich carbs.