Introduction: The use of biomass for cooking is a very common practice in Africa and Benin, and is associated with exposure to organic pollutants. The aim of this study was to assess carbon monoxide exposure and respiratory disorders in women at artisanal fish-smoking sites. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of women fish smokers at two artisanal fish-smoking sites in Benin. Recruitment was exhaustive. An interview using a respiratory questionnaire inspired by the Union questionnaire, spirometry and carbon monoxide (CO) measurement were carried out. Descriptive analysis and comparison of means using Student’s t-test with a threshold of p = 0.05 were performed. Results: The median age of the 81 people surveyed was 40, with an interquartile range (IQT) of [25 to 75]. The median duration of daily exposure to smoke was 6 h IQT [4, 7]. Of those surveyed, 64 (79.01%) were illiterate and 39 (48.24%) had been working for 20 years. CO levels at the start of activity varied from 89 to 145 ppm in one case and from 40 to 89 ppm in the other. Respiratory symptoms were present in 19 (23.46%); 18 (22.22%) had mild airway impairment on spirometry. There was a statistically significant decrease between the mean values of peak expiratory flow (PEF), mean expiratory volume in seconds (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) before and after exposure to smoke. Conclusion: CO levels are high on fish smoking sites and respiratory problems are common. Improved working conditions are important for these women.
References
[1]
Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’Alimentation et l’Agriculture (FAO) (2016) La situation mondile des pêches et de l’aquaculture. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5555f.pdf
[2]
Salifou, C.F., Ahounou, S.G., Kiki, P.S., Hognonouto, E.B., Gade, K.A. and Yossoua, A.K. (2020) Characterization of Fish Smoking Techniques in South Benin. Journal International de Recherche Scientifique, 1, 41-47.
[3]
Djessouho, D.O.C. (2015) Analyse socio-économique du fumage du poisson de la pêche artisanale maritime sur le littoral du Bénin. Rennes. https://halieutique.agrocampus-ouest.fr/files/fichiers/pdf/5499.pdf
[4]
Van den Berghe, C. and Oliyide, A. (1998) Qualité du poisson fume (Tilapia SPP) en fonction des méthodes de transformation et d, entreposage en République du Bénin. Tropicultura, 6, 51-59.
[5]
Zanobetti, A. and Schwartz, J. (2006) Air Pollution and Emergency Admissions in Boston, MA. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60, 890-895. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2005.039834
[6]
Zeller, M., Royer, C., Besancenot, J.P. and Cottin, Y. (2007) Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease. La Lettre du Cardiologue, No. 404, 14-19.
[7]
Aïkpe, J.F.A., Godonou, J.M., Senou, M., Koukpoliyi, C.R., Hounkonnou, A., Akakpo, H.B., et al. (2021) Cardiorespiratory Toxicity of Biomass Pollutants. American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine, 9, 70-74.
[8]
Parnia, S., Brown, J.L. and Frew, A.J. (2002) The Role of Pollutants in Allergic Sensitization and the Development of Asthma. Allergy, 57, 1111-1117. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.02167.x
[9]
Zanolin, M.E., Pattaro, C., Corsico, A., Bugiani, M., Carrozzi, L., Casali, L., et al. (2004) The Role of Climate on the Geographic Variability of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Respiratory Symptoms: Results from the Italian Study of Asthma in Young Adults. Allergy, 59, 306-314. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1398-9995.2003.00391.x
[10]
Salvi, S. and Brashier, B. (2014) Fish Smoking and COPD: A Fishy Affair. Lung India, 31, 105-106. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-2113.129807
[11]
Agodokpessi, G., Ade, G., Hinson, V., Ade, S., Okoumassou, C.-X., Fayomi, B. and Gninafon, M. (2009) Prevalence des troubles respiratoires chez les femmes exerçant sur un site artisanal de fumage de poisson à Cotonou au Benin. Le Mali Médical, 26, 34-38.
[12]
Aïkpe, J.F.A., Godonou, J.M., Akakpo, B.H., Gbenou, J.D. and Pierre, H. (2020) Effect of Firewood Smoking on the Respiratory Parameters of Fish Smokers. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 9, 697-702.
[13]
Chabi, N.W., Konfo, C.T.R., Emonde, P.D.M., Chichi, M.T.C., Sika, K.J.K.C., Alamou, Y., et al. (2014) Performance d’un dispositif amélioré de fumage (four Chorkor) sur la qualité du poisson fumé dans la commune d’Aplahoué (Sud-est du Bénin). International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 9, 1383-1391.
[14]
Zelikoff, J.T., Chen, L.C., Cohen, M. and Schlesinger, R. (2002) The Toxicology of Inhaled Woodsmoke. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 5, 269-282. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937400290070062
[15]
Courtois, B. (2016) Granulés de bois: Attention aux émissions de monoxyde de carbone. Revue Hygiène & Sécurité du Travail, 244, 6-9.
[16]
ANSES (2011) Valeurs limites d’exposition en milieu professionnel, le monoxyde de Carbone. https://www.anses.fr/
[17]
Institut National de recherche et de sécurité pour la prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles (INRS), Monoxyde de carbone Fiche toxicologique. https://www.inrs.fr/fichetox
[18]
Regalado, J., Pérez-Padilla, R., Sansores, R., Ramirez, J.I.P., Brauer, M., Paré, P., et al. (2006) The Effect of Biomass Burning on Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Rural Mexican Women. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 174, 901-905. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200503-479OC
[19]
Dienye, P., Akani, A. and Okokon, I. (2016) Respiratory Effects of Biomass Fuel Combustion on Rural Fish Smokers in a Nigerian Fishing Settlement: A Case Control Study. African Health Sciences, 16, 516-523. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v16i2.20
[20]
Akani, A.B., Dienye, P.O. and Okokon, I.B. (2011) Respiratory Symptoms amongst Females in a Fishing Settlement in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 3, 152. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v4i1.152
[21]
Orozco-Levi, M., Garcia-Aymerich, J., Villar, J., Ramírez-Sarmiento, A., Antó, J.M. and Gea, J. (2006) Wood Smoke Exposure and Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. European Respiratory Journal, 27, 542-546. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.06.00052705
[22]
Réthoret-Lacatis, C. and Janssens, J.P. (2008) Obésité et pathologie respiratoire. Revue Médicale Suisse, 4, 2512-2517.
