Exposure to barbeque smoke in Vientiane, Lao PDR

The document examines the health risks associated with charcoal grilling in Vientiane, Lao PDR, finding that workers—particularly women—face high levels of PM2.5 exposure. It highlights a lack of social protections in the informal food economy and recommends multi-sectoral collaboration to improve ventilation, promote clean fuels, and formalize labor contracts.

• PM2.5 concentrations at 14 grill sites averaged 85 μg/m3, exceeding the Lao air quality standard of 50 μg/m3. Levels varied from nearly 22 μg/m3 to a maximum of 255 μg/m3, with higher average concentrations (143 μg/m3) found in markets than in restaurants, specifically noting extremely high levels in Nongdouang Market.
• A significant majority of grill workers (83% of 362 respondents) are exposed to charcoal smoke for at least eight hours per day, six to seven days per week. Workers using indoor grills are approximately three times more likely to develop respiratory symptoms than those working outdoors.
• Gender disparities are prevalent in the grilled food sector, where nearly three-quarters of workers are women. Female workers are almost three times more likely to develop respiratory symptoms than men, potentially due to longer working hours and additional exposure to biomass fuels during domestic cooking.
• Women in the sector face unequal working conditions and pay; they are more likely to work without assistants (48% vs 40% for men) or work entire shifts without breaks. Gendered perceptions label men as better suited for "skilled" grilling (e.g., beef or goat), while women are assigned lower-paid tasks like cleaning and serving.
• Grill workers operate within the informal economy and lack essential social protections, including formal employment contracts, paid sick leave, and contributions to national health insurance.
• While personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks is generally available, it is not used consistently because workers find them hot and uncomfortable.

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

{{cite report |last1=Sychareun |first1=Vanphanom |last2=Vongxay |first2=Viengnakhone |last3=Thongmixay |first3=Souksamone |last4=Durham |first4=Jo |last5=Somphet |first5=Vathsana |last6=Phimmavong |first6=Chandavieng |last7=Phommavongsa |first7=Phouthong |last8=Thammavongsa |first8=Vassana |last9=Phimmavong |first9=Sengphachanh |display-authors=etal |title=Exposure to barbeque smoke in Vientiane, Lao PDR |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=January 2023 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/exposure-barbeque-smoke-sei2023.001.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

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} }