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. 2022 Jan;130(1):17701.
doi: 10.1289/EHP9873. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

Occupational Exposure and Health in the Informal Sector: Fish Smoking in Coastal Ghana

Cheryl L Weyant  1 , Antwi-Boasiako Amoah  2   3 , Ashley Bittner  4 , Joe Pedit  5 , Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe  6 , Pamela Jagger  1
Affiliations

Occupational Exposure and Health in the Informal Sector: Fish Smoking in Coastal Ghana

Cheryl L Weyant et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2022 Jan.
No abstract available

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Figures

Figure 1A is a boxplot of 24-hour C O exposure in parts per million on a log scale. Points overlaid on the plot represent individual women’s exposures and are jittered vertically. The W H O safe guidance level for C O is 6 parts per million and is shown as a vertical dashed line. Occupational fish smokers were exposed to 7.7 plus or minus 6.9 parts per million (median: 5.7 parts per million), and controls were exposed to 2.9 plus or minus 2.6 parts per million (median: 1.9 parts per million, lowercase p less than 0.001). Figure 1B is a mean hourly C O time series for fish smokers and controls, generated using 1-min data. From 2 p m to 9 p m, fish smokers experienced over three times greater C O concentrations compared to controls. Figure 1C shows probability distributions of C O exposure using 24-h, 8-h, 1-h, and 15-min averages for fish smokers and controls. Mean values for fish smokers and controls were 16.7 plus or minus 13.2 parts per million and 5.7 plus or minus 6.0 parts per million for the 8 hour, 41.0 plus or minus 37.1 and 16.4 plus or minus 16.1 parts per million for the 1 hour and 71.5 plus or minus 84.5 and 31.0 plus or minus 33.8 parts per million for the 15 min averages, respectively. Figure 1D is a boxplot of C O exposure for fish smokers using open air (5.6 plus or minus 5.4, lowercase p equals 0.009 parts per million), partially ventilated (sheltered, 7.2 plus or minus 5.5 parts per million, lowercase p equals 9.0e minus 6), and indoor smokers (12.0 plus or minus 10.2, lowercase p equals 1.1e minus 6 parts per million), relative to controls (2.9 plus or minus 2.6 parts per million). Figure 1E is a boxplot of 24-hour particulate matter begin subscript 2.5 end subscript exposure on a log scale. Fish smokers were exposed to an average of 490 plus or minus 430 micrograms per meter cubed and controls to 190 plus or minus 210 micrograms per meter cubed. The W H O guidance level for particulate matter begin subscript 2.5 end subscript is 10 micrograms per meter begin superscript negative 3 end superscript (interim target, 35 micrograms per meter cubed), shown as vertical dashed lines. Figure 1F is a boxplot of C O exposures for women reporting good or poor vision (5.5 plus or minus 5.4 parts per million, and 7.6 plus or minus 7.5 parts per million). Points overlaid are distinguished as fish smokers (circles) and controls (diamonds).
Figure 1.
(A) Box plot of 24-h CO exposure on a log scale. Points represent individual women’s exposures and are jittered vertically to better show each point. Occupational fish smokers were exposed to 7.7±6.9 ppm (median=5.7 ppm), and controls were exposed to 2.9±2.6 ppm (median=1.9 ppm, p<0.001). The WHO safe guidance level for CO is 6 ppm and is shown as a vertical dashed line. (B) Mean hourly CO time series for fish smokers and controls, generated using 1-min data. From 1400–2100 hours, fish smokers experienced over three times greater CO concentrations compared with controls. (C) Probability distributions of CO exposure for 24-h, 8-h, 1-h, and 15-min averages. Mean values for fish smokers and controls were 16.7±13.2 ppm and 5.7±6.0 ppm for the 8-h, 41.0±37.1 and 16.4±16.1 ppm for the 1-h, and 71.5±84.5 and 31.0±33.8 ppm for the 15-min averages, respectively. (D) CO exposure for fish smokers using open air (5.6±5.4, p=0.009 ppm), partially ventilated (sheltered, 7.2±5.5 ppm, p=9.0×10–6), and indoor smokers (12.0±10.2, p=1.1×10–6 ppm), relative to controls (2.9±2.6 ppm). (E) Box plot of 24-h PM2.5 exposure on a log scale. Fish smokers were exposed to an average of 490±430 μg/m3 and controls to 190±210 μg/m3. The WHO guidance level for PM2.5 is 10 μg/m3 (interim target, 35 μg/m3), shown as vertical dashed lines. (F) Box plot of CO exposures for women reporting good or poor vision (5.5±5.4 ppm, and 7.6±7.5 ppm). Points are distinguished as fish smokers (circles) and controls (diamonds). Note: CO, carbon monoxide; PM2.5, fine particulate matter (PM ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter); WHO, World Health Organization.
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