Abstract
ObjectivesRoad-traffic emissions (RTE) induce adverse health effects, notably respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases, as a result of pollutants deposited into the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between occupation groups of Congolese transit workers exposed to RTE, particularly bus conductors and respiratory health, in Kinshasa.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from 2015 April 20th to May 14th, whose participants were bus conductors (n = 110), bus drivers (n = 107), taxi-motorcyclists (n = 102) and high school teachers (control group; n = 106). Subjects had completed the American Thoracic Society respiratory symptom questionnaire. Lung function test was performed by spirometry. Air pollutants levels of PM2.5, NO2 and SO2 were measured between 7:30 and 8:30 and 16:30–17:30 using a portable gas monitor.Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the association between occupation exposed to RTE and impaired pulmonary function, after adjustment by plausible confounders.ResultsThe prevalence of mixed syndrome was 21.9% for bus conductors, 10.9% for bus drivers, 15.4% for taxi-motorcyclists and 7.1% for high school teachers with (p < 0.05). The risk of developing a mixed syndrome was seven times higher among bus conductors [OR = 7.64; 95% CI: 1.83–31.67; p < 0.05] than other groups. Additionally, the prevalence of respiratory syndromes increased with the duration of exposure.ConclusionsOccupation exposed to RTE is associated with impaired pulmonary function and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among transit workers, especially bus conductors. Furthermore, this association increases with the duration of exposure suggesting the necessity to regulate these categories of occupations and to apply preventives measures.
Highlights
In the coming decades, road transport is likely to remain a significant contributor to air pollution in most of cities
Occupation exposed to Road-Traffic Emissions (RTE) is associated with impaired pulmonary function and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among transit workers, especially bus conductors
In total, 425 subjects participated in this study (110 bus conductors, 107 bus drivers, 102 taxi motorcyclists, and 106 teachers of high school)
Summary
Road transport is likely to remain a significant contributor to air pollution in most of cities. Many urban trips cover distances shorter than 6 km and the average traffic emissions per driving distance are very high in urban areas due to the low effectiveness of catalytic converters in the initial minutes of engine operation. Poorly maintained vehicles that lack exhaust after treatment systems are responsible for a major part of pollutant emissions [1]. Preliminary assessments indicate that, each year, ten thousands persons are affected by diseases related to road-traffic emissions in the European region [2]. Exhaust pipe emissions, contributions from friction processes and resuspended road dust are known to have adverse health effects, such as throat pain, phlegm, chronic rhinitis and chronic pharyngitis among bus drivers, bus conductors and taxi drivers [3, 4]. One of the most important sectors that produce these pollutants is related to the transportation sector [5, 6]
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