Student : Shen-Feng Chang

Advisor : Yi-Chyun Hsu

Health effects of metropolitan traffic-related air pollutants

on street vendors

P. Kongtip, W. Thongsukb, W. Yoosook, S. Chantanakul

Atmospheric Environment 40 (2006) 7138–7145

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Introduction (1)

Road transport is globally recognized as a significant and increasing source of air pollution.

People on road transport, in residencies and schools near the main roads are exposed to high levels of vehicle pollutant emissions.

Introduction (2)

The groups of people who are constantly exposed to vehicle pollutant emissions are the street vendors.

This study aimed to study the traffic-related air pollutants, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, total volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen dioxide, and adverse health effects, especially respiratory symptoms, of street vendors.

Materials and methods (1)

A pre-selection interview was conducted for 100 voluntary street vendors working closest to streets, this subject screening questionnaire was to identify street vendors conforming to the following criteria: (1)they are selling goods on the sidewalk next to streets,

(2) their age ranges from 15 to 55 years old,

Materials and methods (2)

(3) they do not smoke or use any protective mask,

(4) they are not currently suffering from asthma, allergies, tuberculosis, or chronic bronchitis and

(5) they would be pleased to participate in the study for 2 months and provide written informed consent.

There was a series of 13 symptoms in the diary which can be grouped into two respiratory symptom categories, and other symptoms:

(1) upper respiratory symptoms (i.e., nasal congestion, sore throat or cold);

(2) lower-respiratory symptoms (i.e., coughing, phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness); and

(3) other symptoms (i.e., headaches, shortness of breath, fever, eye irritation, dizziness and weakness).

Materials and methods (3)

Results (1)

They sold food, Thai snacks, beverages, accessories and cosmetics, flowers, clothing and footwear repair services, stationary and magazines, etc. The street vendors who sold cooked food and Thai snacks needed to use liquefied petroleum gas and charcoal as fuel for cooking at their stand.

Results (2)

Approximately 40% of them had an education at the primary school level or lower, 20.8% at the secondary school level and 24.7% had graduated high school.

Their average working hours during the study period were 10.1 h, ranging from 2 to 17 h.

Some of them did not have enough sleep; their average sleeping hours were 7.39, ranging from 2 to 13 h.

Results (3)

Results (4)

Discussion (1)

The street vendors had a low education; 60.8% of them had only received education at secondary or primary level, or lower.

Most of them were female and some were self-employed.

Most of had been working for from 1 year to more than 10 years; they had therefore suffered chronic exposure.

Discussion (2)

The results of this study clearly demonstrate the effects of traffic-related air pollutants on street vendors’ health.

In order to reduce the respiratory symptoms and other health symptoms reported by street vendors, they should have less working hours and more resting time and a better economic situation.

Discussion (3)

A governmental organization should monitor air pollutants from the exhaust pipes of vehicles because long-term use and lack of vehicle maintenance will lead to more emissions of air pollutants.

This will help to reduce air pollutant emissions to the environment of urban areas, especially on the roadside.

Conclusion

This study presented the effects of vehicle air pollutant emissions, PM2.5, NO2, Ozone, CO and total VOCs on the health of street vendors.

The best way to reduce the adverse health effect of traffic-related air pollutants of street vendors is to reduce the vehicle exhaust emissions.

Thank you for your attention!!