Respiratory Evidence for Health Risks from Inhaled Car Exhaust in Traffic Policemen in Khartoum State

The objective: of this study is to evaluate the effect of exposure to car emission on respiratory parameters in traffic policemen working in Khartoum state (Khartoum South, Khartoum North and Omdurman) during the period from 21 March to 15 may 2002. Methods: A case-control study with a total of 175 male traffic policemen who have volunteered to participate in the study was conducted. They were divided into four groups according to the state of exposure to car exhaust. Traffic policemen who were not exposed to car exhaust and not smokers were taken as controls, and exposed non-smokers were considered as study group. Questionnaire was distributed to collect relevant information from participants. Standard anthropometric instruments were used for weight and height. Microspirometer and mini peak flowmeter were used to measure FEV1, PEFR and FVC. Results: Out of the 175 participants 90 were exposed to car exhaust; of these 55 were not smokers. The anthropometric parameters in the study group (exposed non-smokers) were similar to the control group. The lung function tests were not different from the control. Concerning exposure to car exhaust there was insignificant negative correlation between the duration of exposure and PEFR, FEV1and the FEV1/FVC ratio. There were no differences between the control and other group in lung functions so that chronic exposure to car exaust has no significant effect on lung functions in Sudan.