Exposure to multiple air pollutants and self-reported symptoms in the ivorian fish smoker population.

Traditional fish smoking raises concerns about toxic exposures and their potential effects on workers' health. This study assessed external and internal exposures of Ivorian fish smokers to particles and organic compounds resulting from wood smoke, and the frequency of health symptoms self-reported by 96 fish smokers and 95 controls. The selected sites used traditional smokehouses based on mixed fuels (rubberwood, coconuts), burnt without any local exhaust ventilation. High ambient concentrations of PM5 (2.2-12.3 mg/m3), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (up to 113 μg/m3 for 2-4 rings and up to 1 μg/m3 for carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene) and aldehydes (up to 3 ppm for formaldehyde) were measured. Significantly higher PM5, PAH and aldehyde concentrations were measured in covered smokehouses than in uncovered ones. More than 150 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, the majority of which were BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene). Biomonitoring showed higher exposures in fish smokers than in controls, with 2-4 ring PAHs being much more abundant (1-100 μmol/mol creatinine) than 5-ring BaP (<0.001 μmol/mol creatinine). The most frequently reported health symptoms in fish smokers were eye irritation (87 %), headaches (83 %), coughing (69 %), rhinorrhoea (59 %) and dizziness (58 %), whereas their frequency in controls did not exceed 3 %. Less experienced fish smokers more frequently reported skin and throat irritation than more experienced ones. This study highlighted high airborne concentrations of PM5, PAHs and aldehydes in fish smoking sites. It also showed higher PAH exposures and more frequent health symptoms in fish smokers than in controls, indicating a possible contribution of exposure to pollutants in the reported health effects. It is therefore essential to promote the use of improved kilns, implement collective protective measures and prevent the health consequences of such exposures by dedicated medical follow-up.