The city’s traffic police, faced with the task of managing over 65 lakh vehicles, is facing the brunt of rising air pollution. The result is an uptick in instances of lung-related problems among traffic police personnel.
A pulmonary function test conducted on 235 traffic policemen in Bengaluru has revealed that 31% of those surveyed had reduced lung function. A total of 20% had some form of respiratory system problems. The results will be submitted to the traffic police, which has a strength of 2,700 personnel.
The report, compiled by Mangaluru-based Anti Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation and Eureka Forbes, puts on record issues that traffic policemen have been complaining of for a long time.
Forced to stand at junctions that see some of the worst traffic jams in the country, the lack of proper pollution control enforcement for vehicles makes an already bad situation worse.
“We work at junctions for more than eight hours daily as thousands of vehicles pass by. Trucks and buses are the worst as they emit black smoke. Wheezing or coughing is very common among my colleagues,” said a constable stationed at Minerva Circle junction.
According to the report, 166 policemen complained of various associated symptoms including cough, blocked nose, watering of eyes, breathlessness, wheezing and chest tightness.
“Our target is to screen at least 80% of the traffic policemen to assess the actual impact,” said Abdullah A. Rehman, founder, APD Foundation.
According to doctors, these symptoms are more pronounced among traffic police personnel, when compared to residents in Bengaluru.
“This is much higher than what was found in the general population in a previous study that looked at the epidemiology of asthma, respiratory symptoms and chronic Bronchitis in adults,” said Priya Ramachandra, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, St. John’s Medical College.
She added that other factors like smoking as well as family history could also contribute to lung problems.
“Long-term effects include worsening of cough or breathlessness or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD),” he said.
As many as nine policemen were diagnosed with obstructive lung function, a form of COPD. Suggestions on how the situation can be mitigated will be submitted to the traffic police.
“The police is committed to the well-being of our staff and will look at the recommendations made. If cost-effective measures can be put into place, we will certainly consider them,” said R. Hitendra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
‘More efforts needed to help policepersons’
Recognising the need to protect traffic policemen from the harmful effects of air pollution, the State government has instituted measures to combat health problems afflicting personnel.
But experts argue that there should be more effort to help policemen do their job effectively.
Currently, policemen are subject to a health check-up once a year. This helps highlight issues with lung function and associated disorders such as allergies and infections.
“We are also holding several check-up camps and rotate our staff regularly from traffic duties to other police work,” said R. Hithendra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic).
The effects of air pollution from vehicles as well as dust and industrial pollutants are not restricted to policemen on the ground and can even affect those inside police stations, officers said.
Stations located close to major traffic junctions are equally vulnerable. “Look at Cubbon Park and Halasuru Gate station. Both these buildings are at the centre of major junctions,” a senior officer pointed out.
Masks can be ineffective
Masks have also been distributed to policemen but many prefer not to wear them as they cannot blow their whistles at violators. “We have been issuing masks to our staff. They have been sensitised about the importance of wearing them as well,” Mr. Hitendra added.
But experts say that these masks, without a replacement of filters or regular cleaning of masks can actually make the situation worse.
“If the masks are not kept clean or if the filters are not changed regularly, issues like skin infection or other infections can occur. Besides, masks need to be made compulsory with orders being issued for every traffic policeman to wear them,” said M.N. Sreehari, a traffic expert.
