Exposure to barbeque smoke in Vientiane, Lao PDR

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes research on PM2.5 exposure among grill workers in Vientiane, Lao PDR. It highlights that while street grill emissions have a low impact on overall city air pollution, individual workers face high localized exposure, with women being disproportionately affected due to gender roles and lack of social protections in the informal food economy.

• PM2.5 concentrations at 14 grill sites in Vientiane averaged 85 μg/m3, ranging from nearly 22 μg/m3 to 255 μg/m3, which exceeds the Lao annual mean air quality standard of 50 μg/m3.
• Localized air pollution is higher in market settings than in restaurants, with extremely high PM2.5 levels recorded at Nongdouang Market due to the density of food shops and street food carts.
• The majority of grill workers (83% of 362 respondents) are exposed to charcoal smoke for at least eight hours a day, six to seven days a week, using 10–50 kg of charcoal daily. Those working indoors are approximately three times more likely to develop respiratory symptoms than those working outdoors.
• Women are overrepresented in the grilled food sector, comprising nearly three-quarters of the workforce, and are almost three times more likely to develop respiratory symptoms than men. This disparity is linked to longer working hours, gender roles that increase biomass fuel exposure at home, and a higher likelihood of working without assistants or breaks.
• Gender expectations influence the division of labor and pay in the sector; men are perceived as better suited for 'skilled' grilling (especially beef or goat), while women are often relegated to lower-paid tasks like cleaning and serving.
• Grill workers operate within the informal economy and lack formal employment contracts, paid sick leave, and health insurance contributions, leaving them with limited occupational health and safety protections.
• While personal protective equipment (PPE) is generally available, it is not used consistently because workers find face masks hot and uncomfortable during service and grilling.

APA

Sychareun, V., Vongxay, V., Thongmixay, S., Durham, J., Somphet, V., Phimmavong, C., Phommavongsa, P., Thammavongsa, V., Phimmavong, S., Vilayvone, V., Nathavong, S., Xayachak, A., Phiasackhoua, P., Thongmala, V., & Chaleunvong, K. (2023). Exposure to barbeque smoke in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/exposure-barbeque-smoke-sei2023.001.pdf

Chicago

Sychareun, Vanphanom, Viengnakhone Vongxay, Souksamone Thongmixay, Jo Durham, Vathsana Somphet, Chandavieng Phimmavong, Phouthong Phommavongsa, et al. Exposure to barbeque smoke in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2023. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/exposure-barbeque-smoke-sei2023.001.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{sychareun2023exposure, author = {Sychareun, Vanphanom and Vongxay, Viengnakhone and Thongmixay, Souksamone and Durham, Jo and Somphet, Vathsana and Phimmavong, Chandavieng and Phommavongsa, Phouthong and Thammavongsa, Vassana and Phimmavong, Sengphachanh and Vilayvone, Vansy and Nathavong, Soudavanh and Xayachak, Amphayvong and Phiasackhoua, Phoxay and Thongmala, Vilakone and Chaleunvong, Kongmany}, title = {{Exposure to barbeque smoke in Vientiane, Lao PDR}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/exposure-barbeque-smoke-sei2023.001.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }