Abstract
Background/Aim: Air pollution levels in fast-growing sub-Saharan African cities are among the highest in the world, but human exposure studies are limited, especially, traffic-related exposures. Our aim was to measure personal fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure of commercial minibus and taxi drivers (the most popular means of public transportation in Ghana’s capital), and street mobile vendors (hawkers) and street stationary vendors (vendors) in Accra, Ghana. Methods: We measured 24-hour personal PM2.5 exposure of 99 subjects, comprising 29 minibus drivers, 26 taxi drivers, 29 street vendors, and 15 street hawkers in the Accra metropolis. PM2.5 was measured both gravimetrically and continuously, with time-matched global positioning system coordinates. The instruments were placed in backpacks, which were worn by the vendors and hawkers during the 24-hour measurement period. Taxi drivers had the backpacks placed beside them near the front passenger’s seat. For the mini bus drivers, field assistants carried the backpacks on their laps at the front passenger’s seat and rode along the drivers. Results: Across all four occupational groups, average (SD) personal PM2.5 exposure was 56.4 (63.2) μg/m3; group means ranged from 26.0 μg/m3 for hawkers to 83.4 μg/m3 for taxi drivers. Individual exposure was > 100 μg/m3 for some drivers. Exposure was significantly higher among drivers than vendors (78 vs 29 μg/m3; 95% CI: 28, 70; p-value < 0.001). The highest exposure to the drivers occurred on major and secondary roads, although < 20% of their commute time was spent there compared to minor roads and alleys. Conclusions: Our results support the need for urban air quality management plans that will address the role traffic to reduce exposure to the thousands who commute daily by minibuses and taxis or work near roadways in Accra, and when combined with policies to reduce urban biomass use, will greatly reduce urban population exposure in Accra.
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