Stressed-out traffic cops throng hospital

Apart from obesity, diabetes and blood pressure, respiratory, orthopaedic and vascular problems also affecting them

Continuous exposure to heat dust and pollution is taking a toll on the health of the city's traffic policemen. They are increasingly developing ailments, some chronic and some life-threatening. Obesity, diabetes and blood pressure are common among the traffic policemen, but now respiratory, orthopaedic and vascular problems are also largely affecting them.

The Gujarat State Police Welfare Hospital in Ahmedabad states that out of every 100 patients who come to the hospital every day, half are traffic policemen with various diseases.

The consulting doctors in the hospital say that majority of the problems start due to direct exposure to dust, heat and smoke.

According to them, the traffic policemen need protective gear, especially safety masks, which they do not wear at all.

The National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) had prescribed safety masks a few years ago when they conducted a study on occupational health hazards of traffic policemen.

Dr Raghvan, a senior scientist in NIOH said that the traffic department was advised to issue the masks to all personnel on road duty. "Not all safety masks are efficient. Those approved by Niosh of the US are safe to use. A mask should at least hold zero to 10 microns of dust particles. Regular intake of over 10 microns leads to major heart and lung problems," he said.

Dr Raghvan further said that many policemen avoid the masks, as wearing them non-stop leads to major perspiration and suffocation. He added: "The masks need to be designed according to the climate of the city. In Ahmedabad, the dusty atmosphere absolutely demands masks, but it has to be modified to suit the city's hot and dry climate."

According to the doctors, the traffic policemen suffering from muscular, orthopaedic and vascular problems eventually opt out of their jobs.

... contd.

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