title: A cross-sectional study with an improved methodology to assess occupational air pollution exposure and respiratory health in motorcycle taxi driving.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motorcycle taxi driving is common in many African cities. This study tested whether this occupation is associated with more respiratory disorders in a context of widespread urban air pollution with an improved methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross sectional study we compared 85 male motorcycle taxi drivers in the capital city of the Republic of Benin (Cotonou) with an age and neighborhood matched control group. All participants carried a portable carbon monoxide data logger for 8 hours per day to assess exposure to air pollution. Respiratory symptoms were obtained using a standardized questionnaire and pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups did not differ significantly (p>0.10) in their age, height, educational level, and exposures to smoke from biomass fuels and tobacco products. The taxi drivers were exposed to higher mean (SD) levels of carbon monoxide (7.6±4.9ppmvs. 5.4±3.8ppm p=0.001). They reported more phlegm and tended to have slightly lower levels of lung function, although these differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cross sectional study of young motorcycle taxi drivers with substantial exposure to urban traffic and a matched control group, we found no evidence for respiratory impairment. A follow-up of such study population with other pollution exposure surrogate and other clinical endpoint may provide a more robust conclusion regarding the exposure response in this professional group.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. Electronic address: hervelawin@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Herve
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lawin
authors.affiliation: Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire de Pneumo-Phtisiologie, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Gildas
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agodokpessi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ayelo
authors.affiliation: Department of internal medicine, Egerton University, Kenya.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kagima
authors.affiliation: Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
authors.forename: Rodrigue
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sonoukon
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Cameroon Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Bertrand H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Mbatchou Ngahane
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olayemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Awopeju
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, USA.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Public Health, Occupational and Environmental Insurance Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nemery
authors.affiliation: National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burney
authors.affiliation: Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fayomi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002248:Carbon Monoxide