Biomass smoke exposure as an occupational risk: cross-sectional study of respiratory health of women working as street cooks in Nigeria

Awopeju, O.F.; Nemery, Benoît; Afolabi, Olusegun T.; Poels, Katrien; Vanoirbeek, Jeroen; Obaseki, Daniel O.; Adewole, Olanisun Olufemi; Lawin, Hervé; Vollmer, William M.; Erhabor, Gregory E

doi:10.1136/oemed-2016-104107

Cited by 12 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Similar results was demonstrated by van Rooy et al among food flavouring workers in Europe [ 46 ]. Reduced spirometric indices among street cooks has also been shown in an earlier study in the area [ 36 ]. However, this comparison must be interpreted with caution, as only female respondents were assessed.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…This may be due to the irritant effect of inhaled caustic fumes on the workers, poor ventilation in the production area and the lack of effective personal protective equipment. Awopeju et al have shown that fume inhalation caused significantly higher odds of respiratory symptoms among a subset of female street cooks in Nigeria [ 36 ]. Particulate Matter analysis of the fumes, however, revealed benzene was the major culprit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Respiratory Health Status of Workers in a Bottling Factory in Benin City, Nigeria

Oghuvwu

Egbagbe

Aigbirior

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Introduction: There is a paucity of data on the respiratory health status of workers in bottling factories in Benin City, Nigeria. Such data will help to drive future studies and influence policy development on occupational health and safety in the country. This study assesses the respiratory symptoms and spirometric indices of exposed workers and controls. Methods: Respiratory symptoms and spirometric parameters of 18 workers on routine mandatory annual lung screening were assessed using the modified MRC (Medical Research Council) questionnaire and spirometer respectively, according to the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) guidelines. Results: The mean age of workers was 35.1 ± 6.7 years. Workers and controls were similar in age, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index) and health status (p > 0.05). Respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among workers compared to controls. Overall, the result was statistically significant in the variables of wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, presence of at least one respiratory symptom, better symptoms at weekends and better symptoms during holidays (p < 0.05). In particular, 6 (33.3%) exposed workers had wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, 9 (50.0%) exposed workers reported at least one respiratory symptom compared with 2 (11.1%) controls, 5 (27.8%) had better symptoms at weekends, and 7 (38.9%) had better symptoms at holidays (p < 0.05). Generally, the reported frequency of respiratory symptoms among exposed workers were: cough (22.2%), sputum production (5.6%), breathlessness (11.1%) and wheeze (44.4%). Similarly, workers had significantly lower spirometric indices than controls, particularly in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25–75%) measurements. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of adverse respiratory health effects among bottling factory workers which requires further investigation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory Health Status of Workers in a Bottling Factory in Benin City, Nigeria

Oghuvwu

Egbagbe

Aigbirior

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…In fact, the author observed that symptoms compromising the respiratory system occurred more frequently amongst these women compared with the control group. The respiratory symptoms observed in the women were a cough and phlegm with a higher incidence of airway obstruction [35].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Furthermore, Owili et al [44] observed that continued use of charcoal and biomass was linked with a high risk of mortality in children under five years of age in Sub-Saharan Africa. Awopeju et al [35] in Nigeria provided evidence of the adverse effects that biomass fuels had on the respiratory systems of women who cooked on the streets using biomass fuels. The authors found that there were higher chances of respiratory symptoms amongst these women compared with a control group.…”

Section: Socioeconomic Dynamics and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These IESs can easily be made from materials (clay, soil mud, and bricks, among others) found in most parts of the world. The justification for use of IESs is in the consideration of the traditional cooking stoves which do not only waste wood but also pollute the environment as well as posing a health hazard for the household [30][31][32][33][34][35]. In this case, IESs save both the environment and the people who use them.…”

Section: Environmental Dynamics and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Charcoal and Wood Biomass Utilization in Uganda: The Socioeconomic and Environmental Dynamics and Implications

et al. 2020

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Charcoal and firewood fuel biomass utilization is thought to be the main cause of deforestation in Uganda. Moreover, the practice of utilizing charcoal and wood fuel in Uganda is said to impact the health of many women and children in the region. The goal of this study was to comprehensively analyze charcoal and wood fuel utilization processes in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa and the environmental and socioeconomic dynamics and implications. The study equally intended to model out some possible improvements to wood fuel use while conserving natural forests. Both qualitative and qualitative approaches were used to study the charcoal and wood fuel energy situation in Uganda. The study collected field data (sample size: 199) which was subjected to descriptive analysis. The findings show that over 90% of households in Uganda and the sub- Saharan region use firewood and charcoal wood fuel, and that this fuel use creates social and environmental hazards. Our findings are also in agreement with numerous empirical studies showing that firewood and charcoal biomass are among the major causes of deforestation in Uganda and the sub-Saharan region. Ceteris paribus, we propose the adoption of Improved Eco-Stoves (ICE), which not only enable comprehensive combustion but also lessen the quantity of firewood used by more than 60%, together with policy decisions on the government of Uganda, given peoples willingness to take on alternative energy sources such as gas and electricity.

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Study on the association between domestic biomass fuel exposure and pulmonary function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Viramgami,

Sheth,

Bagepally

et al. 2023

Air Qual Atmos Health

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Biomass smoke exposure as an occupational risk: cross-sectional study of respiratory health of women working as street cooks in Nigeria

Abstract: This study provides evidence of adverse respiratory effects among street cooks using biomass fuels.

Cited by 12 publications

References 34 publications

Respiratory Health Status of Workers in a Bottling Factory in Benin City, Nigeria

Respiratory Health Status of Workers in a Bottling Factory in Benin City, Nigeria

Charcoal and Wood Biomass Utilization in Uganda: The Socioeconomic and Environmental Dynamics and Implications

Study on the association between domestic biomass fuel exposure and pulmonary function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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