Evaluation of Pulmonary Function Parameters in Roadside Traders Exposed to Vehicular Emissions in Ibadan Metropolis, South West Nigeria

Background: Chronic exposure to vehicular emissions constitutes a significant occupational hazard for informal sector workers in Nigerian urban centres. Recent literature highlights particulate matter and nitrogen oxides as primary agents of pulmonary dysfunction in outdoor workers. Roadside traders in cities such as Ibadan spend extended hours in close proximity to heavy traffic, yet their respiratory health remains understudied at the undergraduate research level. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate spirometric indices, including forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second, among roadside traders in Ibadan and to compare values with a control group of indoor workers. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional approach will be used. One hundred roadside traders and fifty indoor market traders will be recruited as participants and controls respectively. Spirometry will be performed using a portable MIR Spirolab device. Questionnaires will capture occupational history, smoking status, duration of exposure, and respiratory symptom burden. Independent t-tests and Pearson correlation will be applied. Expected Outcomes: Traders with longer exposure durations are expected to demonstrate significantly reduced spirometric values, suggesting obstructive or restrictive pulmonary patterns. Conclusion: Results will contribute baseline data for advocacy regarding occupational health regulations for informal workers in Nigeria. Keywords: pulmonary function, vehicular emissions, spirometry, roadside traders, Ibadan.