Air pollution spoiling health of traffic cops in Mangaluru, confirms test

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 9, 2016

Mangaluru, May 9: The pulmonary function test (PFT) conducted on the traffic police by the Anti-Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation has showed a significant correlation in lung functions and exposure to vehicular pollutants.

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According to the results of the test and the subsequent study, reduction in air pollution can reduce the number of traffic police falling prey to restrictive lung disease. Reduction in exposure by use of protective gears like pollution mask and reduction in the duration of exposure in a day would also help in improving their lung function. Monitoring vehicles, which are on roads for over 10 years for pollution, would also help in minimising the level of pollution, the foundation said in a press release.

The PFT by computerised spirometer, measuring FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and FEF25-75 per cent, was measured by pulmonologists from the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Yenepoya Medical College.

The test showed that significant number of traffic personnel have affected lungs. The results indicated that 22.3 per cent of the policemen having five and less than five years of service are showing signs of restrictive lungs. About 26.3 per cent policemen, having more than five years' experience, are showing restrictive lung capacity.

The Foundation which has germinated from this city has observed that Mangaluru is one of the rapidly growing cities in the country and the growth is associated with an enormous increase in vehicular traffic emitting exhausts and polluting the atmosphere. Airborne dust plays a major part in the overall atmospheric pollution and motor vehicle emissions are the most significant sources of pollution in an urban environment. Road traffic produces volatile organic compounds, suspended particulate matter, oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide which makes adverse health effects on the exposed population, it said.

It said the traffic-related air pollution is a day-to-day health hazard to individuals who commute to offices, school and colleges. Several students use the public transportation or the transportation provided by the educational institutes and they are exposed to hazardous toxins in the air. Schoolchildren, who are exposed to pollution at a tender age, develop health hazards is their respiratory system due to automobile exhaust. Every year, the percentage of asthmatic children is increasing in urban areas. Vehicular pollution is the sole pollution contributing elements in a large scale within city limits affecting residents, school students and officer goers.

APD?Foundation Founder Abdullah A Rehman said observing respiratory complaints among the retired traffic police would help in studying the long-term effects of the occupation. Through PFT results, APD further wants to study the health impacts of pollution in Mangaluru and related issues.

He added, “The foundation will be able to identify the impact on the most-affected group based on the PFT results. We will then identify the location and area that they are working and start monitoring the pollution levels in these areas. We will also use this information to work towards categorical mitigation.”

ACP (Traffic) Uday Nayak said the tests conducted by the foundation have helped the police a lot. “It is good to know the health condition of the police, especially the traffic police personnel,” he said and added that the hospitals have offered to provide free treatment to the affected police personnel.

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Comments

Swetha
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

really sad to see traffic police in this heavy heat climate.

Priyanka
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

my father is working in police department, i m very much worried about his health.

Saleem
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

really effecting health of traffic police, must wear musk all the time while on duty.

Manikanta
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

yahh rain, air pollution, heat make them sick.

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News Network
May 1,2020

Bengaluru, May 1: Karnataka government has assigned State Nodal Officers after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order regarding the inter-state movement of stranded migrant workers, tourists, pilgrims and students during the lockdown period.

The Nodal officers have also been appointed for coordination with 11 different states.

In an order issued on Thursday, Karnataka Government wrote, "To facilitate smooth and orderly movement of persons across State borders as per SOPs, the undersigned, in the exercise of powers conferred under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and in the capacity as Chairman, State Executive Committee, hereby appoint the following officers as Nodal officers to coordinate with Nodal Officers of States/Union Territories (UTs) mentioned against their names."

Dr Rajkumar Khatri, IAS and Arun Jeji Chakravarthy, IPS will be overall in charge of the movement of stranded people from outside States/UTs to Karnataka.

N Manjunatha Prasad, IAS and P S Sandhu, IPS will be overall in charge of the movement of stranded people from Karnataka to other States/UTs.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 4,2020

Mangaluru, May 4: The district administration has set up seven check-posts to monitor those entering Dakshina Kannada from other districts and states amidst coronavirus crisis.

The check-posts are located at up seven check-posts at Talapady, Hejamady, Gundya, Jalsoor, Charmadi, Naravi and Kallugundi. 

According to Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, all those who enter the district will be screened. Those who come from outside the district and state will be asked to remain in quarantine. 

As the relaxation is announced for 12 hours, the public should be cautious while venturing out of the house. Wearing a mask in public is mandatory in addition to maintaining social distance. 

Further, she said of the 24 cases reported in the district, only four had symptoms of breathlessness and others were asymptomatic. Of the nine active cases in the district, the condition of one patient is serious while two are likely to be discharged from hospital shortly, said the DC.

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coastaldigest.com web desk
July 24,2020

Indore, Jul 24: A woman who sells fruits on a cart and who lashed out at municipal officials here has done PhD in Materials Science. Her siblings too are well educated and sell fruits as they did not find jobs.

Dr Raisa Ansari, who lives at Bakery Street in Pardeshipura with her family said she wanted to be a scientist but did not get a job anywhere.

Speaking to media persons, Raisa said, "I have done PhD in Materials Science and wanted to be a scientist but did not get job anywhere. I sell fruit here but the municipal officials are bothering us. We are being forced to move from here to there like cattle. Our religion may be the reason why we are not getting jobs but we are proud to be Indian. I am still looking for a job."

Dr Raisa's mother Ayesha Ansari said she herself is not educated, but has four children of whom three girls and one boy studied a lot but no one got job.

Speaking to media persons Ayesha said, "I have four children and they are well educated. I have not studied but all my children are educated but did not get job so all of them sell fruits."

"When the matter came to marriage, one of the daughters got married. Raisa and Shahjahan Bi wanted an educated boy, but they were not able to find a suitable match because of their complexion and sometimes they rejected the proposal because of dowry, so both are single. Two of my grandchildren are studying biology. They will become doctors," said Ayesha.

Meanwhile, people in the neighbourhood lauded the family's abilities. They said theirs was an educated family had to sell fruits as they did not get jobs.

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