Masks given to the policemen serve no purpose: traffic cops suffer from pulmonary disorders

Bengaluru: The masks given to the traffic policemen are of little use as they suffer from severe cases of diseases caused by air pollution.

A study conducted by Eureka Forbes in association with Mangaluru-based Anti-Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation resulted that among 235 city traffic policemen who underwent pulmonary test, 20% were found to have respiratory disorders caused by air pollution.

According to Dr Sandeep S., a pulmonologist at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, the traffic policemen manage lakhs of vehicles every day and work for more than eight hours shift at traffic junctions were they are exposed to fumes including carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide which increases the level of carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb). This is the main cause for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which most of them suffer from.

He also said that these policemen wear the surgical masks which are either bought by themselves or are donated by the hospitals. These masks don’t protect them from inhaling of harmful fumes. With the increasing traffic in the cities, the air pollutants have found a rise and thus resulting in increase of COPD among traffic police.

Mr Mahesh Kashyap, a consultant with the Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD), said that proper masks which protect the policemen from the heavy dust and fumes emitted by the vehicles should be compulsorily provided.

Study reveals that at present the traffic cops are not given with good quality masks.

DCP North Sarah Fathima assured that regular medical check-ups will be conducted. Another solution suggested by Dr. Sandeep is to provide the policemen with respirators that are usually used in industries.