Comparison of motorcycle taxi driver�s respiratory health using an air quality standard for carbon monoxide in ambient air: a pilot survey in Benin

Abstract

IntroductionAmbient air quality standards are not designed to protect people occupationally exposed to outdoor air pollution on a routine basis. This study aimed to assess the effect of exceeding the US ambient air quality standard for carbon monoxide (CO) on motorcycle taxi drivers respiratory health.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 85 current motorcycle taxi drivers with at least 5 years of job tenure in Cotonou (Benin) was conducted. Personal CO was measured with a portable CO data logger for 8 hours per day during working hours. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was administered to participants and spirometry was performed. Participants were divided into two groups, those with exposure to CO >9 ppm and ≤9 ppm, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standard which is an 8-hour average of 9ppm. 8 and 10 ppm were also used an exposure limit. Analysis was done using these two groups.ResultsSocio-demographic characteristics were well balanced between the two study groups. The drivers with a CO exposure of more than 9ppm had non-significantly more respiratory symptoms (OR=1.67; 95%CI:0.26,10.74), lower FVC and FEV1 compared to the less exposed group but they have a significant lower PEF (-10%, p=0.02). When we used an exposure limit of 8 or 10 ppm the results were not statistically different.ConclusionDrivers with a CO exposure >9 ppm tend to have more respiratory problems. More research is needed to reinforce this result in order to improve air quality standards to protect workers occupationally exposed to outdoor air pollution.

Spatial distribution and policy implications of the exhaust emissions of two-stroke motorcycle taxis: a case study of southwestern state in Nigeria

“…Although CO levels in the study region were below regulation limits, their large extent and distribution are concerning. Recent research has proven that motorcycle taxi drivers are particularly susceptible to respiratory health effects from these emissions [59]. Previous studies have also established some correlations between drivers' behavior and emissions.…”

DINAMIKA KONSENTRASI EMISI GAS KARBON MONOKSIDA (CO) SELAMA PERIODE PSBB MENGGUNAKAN KOMPUTASI BERBASIS CLOUD PADA GOOGLE EARTH ENGINE Studi Kasus di Provinsi DKI Jakarta, Indonesia

“…Lin et al, (2020) menyebutkan bahwa COVID-19 yang termasuk ke dalam penyakit pernapasan memiliki kemungkinan untuk dapat diasosiasikan dengan paparan karbon monoksida yang tinggi. Sebagaimana diindikasikan dalam (Zhao et al, 2019), (North et al, 2019), dan (Herve et al, 2018), bahwa paparan karbon monoksida dapat memberikan pengaruh terhadap gejala pernapasan. Hal ini karena inhalasi CO dapat menyebabkan hipoksia jaringan dengan mengikat hemoglobin dan mengurangi kapasitas pembawa oksigen darah (Fujita et al, 2001).…”

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“…In urban areas, motorized vehicles are responsible for air pollution caused by their exhaust emissions . Bus, car, and motorcycle drivers in urban areas are at risk of being exposed to air pollution while working, and the vehicles they drive are a source of air pollution for other communities and other drivers, which will be harmful to health, resulting in respiratory morbidity, decreased lung function, and even cause heart problems and on chronic exposure can cause lung cancer and COPD (Damayanti et al, 2019;Lawin, Fanou, Kpangon, et al, 2018;Sasikumar et al, 2020) The use of masks is an alternative in reducing pollution exposure, which is very practical, inexpensive, and can protect oneself from the transmission of acute respiratory infections (Hansstein & Echegaray, 2018). In general, masks are protective equipment with the primary function of reducing the transmission of particles or droplets and other infectious agents (Fischer et al, 2020).…”