Bronchospasm Diagnosis in Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Exposed to Automotive Pollutants in Porto-Novo

Folly Messan, Mohamed Lawani, Barnabé Akplogan, Pierre Dansou, Daouda Mama, Rodrigue Hounkponou, Rodrigue A. Dagnitché

Laboratory of Applied Hydrology, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Performance (LABIOP), National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Laboratory of PSA and Motricity, National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

DOI: 10.4236/ojrd.2013.31003                

Abstract

Background: In African cities, chronic exposure to pollutants is the most common public health problem faced daily by motorcycle taxi drivers. In Benin, studies conducted on motorcycle drivers, have shown the presence of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in ambient air, which may affect lung function. Aims: This study aims to diagnose potential respiratory problems among 48 motorcycle taxi drivers (47.02 ± 8.75 years) compared to a control group made up of 52 people (46.38 ± 8.81 years) in Porto-Novo, Benin. Methods: A questionnaire, two exploration pulmonary function tests and two 6-minute walk tests were used to identify symptoms and changes in respiratory variables that reveal the existence of bronchospasm. Results: The frequency of respiratory symptoms noted among motorcycle taxi drivers is higher than that recorded among members of the control group. We observed that motorcycle drivers at rest and after physical effort have significantly lower respiratory variables (FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF_25-75, FEF₅₀ and FEF₂₅) (p < 0.05) than those recoded in control group. Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that, because of the relatively long duration of exposure among motorcycle taxi drivers, the inhalation of automobile pollutants, may cause respiratory problems in this population.

Keywords

Automobile Pollution; Asthma; Bronchospasm; Urban Pollution; Motorcycle-Taxi Drivers; Benin

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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