Automobile Pollution and Risk of Impaired Lung Function and Oxygen Saturation among Vendors Near Road Traffic in Brazzaville, Congo

Context: Automobile pollution is becoming a potential threat to the cardiorespiratory health of the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa. The present study aims to evaluate the level of concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) near road traffic and the effects of exposure to automobile pollutants on pulmonary function and arteriolar blood oxygen saturation among sellers around road traffic. Materials and Methods: The study recruited 48 healthy people carrying out a sales activity near road traffic. PM2.5 and PM10 measurements were taken from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. using a Temtop Airing-1000 portable particle detector. Spirometric measurements were taken in the morning and in the evening from a portable Spirobank G spirometer. Oxygen saturation measurements were also taken in the morning and evening using a Pulse oxymeter CMS50D pulse oxymeter. Results: Mean values of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25 - 75) recorded in the evening were significantly lower than those obtained in the morning in the subjects of the total group and in the men. Only the mean values of PEF and FEF25 - 75 obtained in the evening were significantly lower than those recorded in the morning in women. Minimum PM2.5 values recorded near road traffic were negatively correlated with evening PEF in men, while maximum PM10 values were negatively correlated with evening PEF in women. The blood oxygen saturation recorded in the evening was significantly lower than that obtained in the morning. Conclusion: Short-term exposure to automobile pollutants has adverse effects on lung function and oxygen saturation in people carrying out a sales activity near road traffic.