TITLE:
Impact of Air Pollution on Ventilatory Function in Urban Population in a Sub-Saharan African Country
AUTHORS:
Mouhamed Djite, Mame Saloum Coly, Elhadji Daouda Diop, Bachir Mansour Diallo, Yann-Philippe Tastevin, Abdou Khadir Sow, Salimata Diagne Houndjo, Maimouna Toure, Awa Ba, Marie Fall, Mor Diaw, Abdoulaye Ba, Aïssatou Seck, Arame Mbengue, Fatou Bintou Sar
KEYWORDS:
One Health, Pollution, Spirometry, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Air Pollution,
Vol.15 No.3,
September
9,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background/Objective: Air pollution is a major public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan African megacities. Diamniadio, an emerging urban and industrial hub in Senegal, has recently recorded alarming air quality levels linked to important road traffic, extensive construction activity, and intense industrial operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ventilatory function in population exposed to air pollution in Diamniadio. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and comparative study was conducted in Diamniadio in April 2024. Participants aged 16 years and older were recruited following representative sampling across 17 neighborhoods of the municipality. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and baseline spirometry was performed in all participants, measuring Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1), Tiffeneau ratio (FEV1/FVC) and mix-expiratory flow (FEF25%-75%). Results: A total of 140 participants were enrolled, with a sex ratio of 0.75. The mean age was 47.02 ± 17.91 years. Mean measures of FVC, FEV1, FEF25%-75% were below predicted reference values, while FEV1/FVC was elevated. Ventilatory disorders (VD) were identified in 40.72% of the population study (n = 57), with obstructive VD being the most common (16.43%), followed by restrictive VD (12.86%) and mixed VD (11.43%). The majority of ventilatory impairments (91.23%) were observed among residents of neighborhoods located in close proximity to major road axes and industrial zones. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of urban and industrial pollution on the development of VD in exposed populations. The geographic distribution of disorders suggests a close link with environmental exposure, underscoring the need to strengthen air quality monitoring and to implement respiratory health alert and prevention strategies in rapidly expanding urban areas in Senegal.