Indoor Air Pollution Monitoring for Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Phenols, Phthalates and Some Metabolites of Fish Smokers from Three Coastal Regions of Ghana

Abstract

Exposure to biomass combustion has been linked to increased risk for a suite of negative health outcomes such as acute and chronic respiratory diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the levels and risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, phthalates, 1-hydroxypyrene and 9- phenanthrenol from urine samples of fish smokers in three coastal regions (Western, Central and Volta regions) of Ghana due to their exposure to indoor air pollution. Urine samples of 155 fish smokers were analysed using QuEChERS method and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer for analysis. The micro-environment indoor levels of particulate matter (PM 2.5), carbon monoxide and ozone were also measured using low-cost air quality monitors. In addition, personal PM 2.5 and CO were measured using MicroPEM (ECM) and Lascar EL-USB-CO respectively. The eyes of the fish smokers were also screened by qualified and practicing optometrists from Optometry Department, University of Cape Coast. Risk assessment on urinary contaminants showed high health risk values in the study areas. Fish smokers suffered from cataract and other eye diseases. Self-reported health symptoms were headache, cough, wheezing breathlessness, asthma and pneumonia. Personal CO was strongly correlated with benz[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene. Also, personal PM 2.5 was strongly correlated with benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, 9-phenanthrenol and 1-hydroxypyrene. In conclusion, biomass fuel usage by the fish smokers could affect their health greatly. It is recommended that the fish smokers should be encouraged to use personal protective equipment such as respirators, googles and face masks to minimize the harmful effect of their work on their health.