Title: Assessing the Respiratory Effects of Road Traffic Air Pollution in Vietnamese Megacities: A Case Study of Ho Chi Minh City
Authors: Minh Thi Hoang, Ha Nguyen Manh
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: 6-13
Publication Date: 2026/04/28
Abstract:
Rapid urban expansion and dense motorcycle-dominated traffic in Vietnamese megacities have intensified exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), yet fine-scale evidence linking roadside emissions to respiratory health remains limited. This study investigates the association between residential proximity to major road corridors and respiratory outcomes among adults in Ho Chi Minh City. A cross-sectional design was employed, integrating traffic characterization across six principal arterials, emission estimation using the COPERT framework, dispersion modeling with CALINE4 to derive near-road PM?.? and NO? concentrations at distances of 50-500 m, and a community health survey of 135 residents living within 300 m of major roadways. Modeled concentrations exhibited a clear distance-decay pattern, with PM?.? decreasing from 38.4 µg/m³ at 50 m to 25.6 µg/m³ at 300 m. Respiratory symptoms followed a similar trend, with higher prevalence of chronic cough (26.0% at ?50 m vs. 11.6% at 101-300 m) and wheezing (22.9% vs. 9.3%). Logistic regression analyses identified PM?.? (OR = 1.36 per 10 µg/m³) and NO? (OR = 1.22) as significant predictors of respiratory symptoms after adjustment for age, smoking, and occupation. The results indicate that even modest differences in residential distance from high-traffic corridors are associated with meaningful changes in pollution exposure and respiratory risk. These findings highlight the need for improved emission control, redesign of roadside microenvironments, and targeted protection of vulnerable populations. This study offers neighborhood-level evidence from Ho Chi Minh City linking modeled TRAP exposure with respiratory health and provides a methodological reference for other rapidly motorizing Southeast Asian cities.