In-Vehicle air pollutants exposure and respiratory symptoms among commercial ('Trotro') drivers and passengers in Madina, a suburb of the La-Nkwantanang Municipality

Vehicular air pollutants have been known to be one of the chief sources of respiratory health symptoms. Growing urbanization associated with rising population has given the situation an alarming rate particularly in developing nations like Ghana. Studies have linked exposure to pollutants from motor vehicles to a number of respiratory symptoms and diseases including chronic cough, excessive phlegm production and lung cancer. However, not many studies have considered commercial drivers and passengers who travel many hours while working intercity and intracity journeys and are exposed to harmful air pollutants. The objective of the study was to ascertain the association between vehicular levels of CO, PM2.5 and respiratory symptoms among commercial (''trotro'') drivers and passengers in Madina. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2017 among commercial 'trotro' drivers and passengers. 89 drivers and 89 passengers who use the Madina to Accra, Kasoa and Dansoman routes were recruited. The data collection tools included a self-administered questionnaire, a CO and vehicular levels of CO monitoring with a LASCAR CO monitor. The PM was monitored using SidePak Personal Aerosol monitor model AM 510. The findings of the study revealed that Median concentrations of personal levels of CO were lower among drivers than among passengers. In addition, the median concentrations of vehicular levels of CO and PM2.5 were higher at the passenger compartment compared to the driver compartment of the vehicle. Respiratory symptoms reported include cough, phlegm production, wheezing and breathlessness. The study conclude that there was significant difference in the median concentration of personal levels of CO among drivers and passengers. Moreover, prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among passengers than among drivers. (author)