Indoor air pollution is the underlying cause of 4 million deaths throughout the worldwide, of which 11% is directly caused by obstructive pulmonary disease. This study showed the possibilities of characterizing indoor air

Indoor air pollution constitutes a public health problem due to the long time that individuals spend in enclosed spaces every day. The present study aims to investigate the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air in households in Senegal, and to assess health risks related to residents’ exposure. Of the 17 VOCs identified, 16 were detected in Medina accommodations versus 14 in Darou Khoudoss. Toluene levels reached 70.9 μg/m³ in Medina and 18.5 μg/m³ in Darou Khoudoss, which were the highest compared to other compounds. The sum of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, o-Xylene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene concentrations were two times higher in Medina (79.57 µg/m³ versus 37.1 µg/m³). Furthermore, VOCs were found at higher levels in living rooms compared to other living spaces. The highest benzene and acetone concentrations were estimated at 13.6 µg/m³ and 8.4 µg/m³, respectively, in households where incense was burnt daily, while the highest formaldehyde levels were observed in households using incense seasonally (6.8 µg/m³). As regards the health risks associated with exposure of residents, the lifetime cancer risks were all above the WHO tolerable limit (10⁻⁵–10⁻⁶). Exposure to benzene (8.5 µg/m³) associated with a lifetime risk of leukemia (51.3 per million people exposed) was higher in Darou Khoudoss, while the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (600 per million people exposed) associated with exposure to formaldehyde (4.23 µg/m³) was higher in Medina.

Indoor air pollution is the underlying cause of 4 million deaths worldwide, of which 11% is directly attributable to obstructive pulmonary disease. This study made it possible to characterize indoor air pollution in the Medina (Dakar) and to estimate occurrence risk of obstructive pulmonary diseases associated to lack of ventilation in main living room. This is a cross-sectional study combining a socio-demographic survey, air quality metrology (CO, PM₁₀, NO, CO₂) and a Functional Respiratory Assessment (spirometry). Estimation of the risk was carried out by logistic regression by adjusting for a certain number of factors. Participants are distributed between 27 households using mainly gas (55.56%) and charcoal (29.63%) as cooking fuel and closed kitchens with window (66.67%). Obstructive pulmonary diseases are noted with an estimated prevalence of 33.06%. Regarding pollutants, levels are below WHO guidelines: CO (3.81 ppm), CO₂ (531.5 ppm), PM₁₀ (0.27 µg/m³) and NO (2.88 µg/m³). In addition, study reveals an occurrence risk (AOR [95%CI]) of obstructive pulmonary diseases multiplied by 2.54 [1.27-5.08] where ventilation of main living room is medium and for exposure to poor ventilation, risk is multiplied by 2.06 [1.02-4.17]. These results therefore suggest indoor air quality, in particular renewal of air in main living room, as a factor determining residents respiratory health.