Determinación de carboxihemoglobina al inicio y final de jornada diurna en vendedores de kioskos en el área de embarque del terminal terrestre de Cuenca

Abstract

Using a desing of cases and controls and previous carbon monoxide (environmental CO) monitoring, a measurement of carboxyhemoglobin (% COHb) was taken from 45 vendors that remain at kiosks located in the boarding area of the Bus Terminal of the city of Cuenca for more than eight hours a day, before and after their woking day using the pulse CO-oximeter method.

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, the measurements were conducted for three consecutive days at the same times each day. The result obtained in the experimental group of vendors exposed to CO from vehicular combustión was compared with that obtained in an unexposed control group with similar demographic characteristics, but living in suburban areas.

Graphing the curve of environmental CO for eight hours showed elevations above the maximum permissible limit from 12h00, with a descent to allowable levels in the first two hours of the evening, and an elevation from 15h00 that tends to rise progressively.

The final % COHb (5.4 ± 1.21) after 8 hours a day was higher than at the beginning of day (3.2 ± 0.59). The difference was very significant (p< 0.001). The % COHb of the control group was significantly lower than those obtained in the exposed group (p< 0.001). The 60% of sellers who already had a high % COHb before the first measurement of increased to 97% at the end of day [RR 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2 - 2.1)]. Based on the results, we believe that the boarding area, an environment where over 600 vehicles circulate daily, is an area of risk to human health.