Grill workers and air pollution health effects from charcoal combustion in Vientiane capital

Vanphanom Sychareun; Viengnakhone Vongxay; Kongmany Chaleunvong; Souksamone Thongmixay; Bounmany Soulideth; Diane Archer; Connie O’Neill; Jo Durham

doi:10.18502/japh.v8i2.12916

Vanphanom Sychareun Faculty of Public Health (FPH), University of Health Sciences (UHS), Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Viengnakhone Vongxay Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health (FPH), University of Health Sciences (UHS), Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Kongmany Chaleunvong Institute of Research and Education Development, Faculty of Public Health (FPH), University of Health Sciences (UHS), Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Souksamone Thongmixay Department of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Faculty of Public Health (FPH), University of Health Sciences (UHS), Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Bounmany Soulideth Natural and Environmental Research Institute, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Diane Archer Stockholm Environmental Institute-Asia, Bangkok, Thailand
Connie O’Neill Stockholm Environmental Institute-York, University of York, England
Jo Durham Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v8i2.12916

Keywords: Grill worker; Air pollution; Charcoal; Particulate matter (PM); Respiratory symptom

Abstract

Introduction: Grilled street foods are popular in urban communities in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Charcoal is the main fuel used for, posing a risk of elevated exposure to toxic pollutants. This study explored levels of cooking-related pollutants from grilled food business and workers’ health effects.

Materials and methods: A quantitative approach using multiple techniques was conducted during March and April 2022 in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Methods included pollutant emission estimation from charcoal-combusting grill shops/street-carts and Particulate Matter (PM2.5) measurement, and examined the exposure and health effects among grill workers. Multiple sampling techniques were applied to identify study samples. Respiratory symptoms were the health effect of interest among grill workers.

Results: Estimated emission of pollutants was over 75 tons/year from grill shops. Average PM 2.5 level was 84.8 μg/m³ (21.6 - 254.8 μg/m³); which i above standard limits. A very high level of PM2.5 was found in grill markets. Most grill workers were female, worked 6-7 days/week, at least 8 h/day. Factors contributing to the presence of respiratory symptoms among grill workers were female gender, low income, indoor grilling, more years of grill-work, experience of intense smoke-cough, self-reliance on health and cigarette smoking.

Conclusion: Grilling contributes to ambient air pollution, posing potential adverse environmental and public health impacts. Grill workers are likely to be exposed to high levels of all forms of air pollutants from street food grilling. Effective strategies are required to better protect grill workers from the effect of exposure to these harmful toxins and minimize the negative impacts on their health.