biostudies-literatureLawin HPATS MECOR SMALL GRANTMedical Research Council320https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5392985biostudies-literatureUnknown17(1)<h4>Background</h4>In urban settings of Africa with rapidly increasing population, traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to outdoor air pollution (OAP). Although OAP has been identified as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, there is however, lack of a simple biomarker to assess levels of exposure to OAP in resource-poor settings. This study evaluated the role of exhaled carbon monoxide (exhCO) as a potential biomarker of exposure to ambient carbon monoxide (ambCO) from OAP.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a descriptive study conducted among male commercial motorcycle riders in Cotonou - the economic capital of Benin. The participants' AmbCO was measured using a portable carbon monoxide (CO) data logger for 8 h during the period of their shift. ExhCO was measured justBMC public healthExhaled carbon monoxide: a non-invasive biomarker of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollution.PMC5392985MR/L009242/1Gordon SBSanni ABalmes JRLawin HUkwaja NKFayomi BAvokpaho EHinson VWanjiku JHoungbegnon PAyi Fanou LfalseExhaled carbon monoxide: a non-invasive biomarker of short-term exposure to outdoor air pollution.<h4>Background</h4>In urban settings of Africa with rapidly increasing population, traffic-related air pollution is a major contributor to outdoor air pollution (OAP). Although OAP has been identified as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, there is however, lack of a simple biomarker to assess levels of exposure to OAP in resource-poor settings. This study evaluated the role of exhaled carbon monoxide (exhCO) as a potential biomarker of exposure to ambient carbon monoxide (ambCO) from OAP.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a descriptive study conducted among male commercial motorcycle riders in Cotonou - the economic capital of Benin. The participants' AmbCO was measured using a portable carbon monoxide (CO) data logger for 8 h during the period of their shift. ExhCO was measured just2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Apr2026-07-15T16:27:45.557Z2026-07-07T03:07:51.795ZS-EPMC53929852841598310.1186/s12889-017-4243-6