Very high percentage of shortness of breath, abnormal lung function, allergy and high blood pressure
In view of World Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, BLK Super Speciality Hospital had organised a health check-up camp for the highly vulnerable Delhi Traffic Police personnel with a view to highlight the importance of regular screening as well as grave health risks faced by them.
“Through this we wanted to sensitise people about the problems faced by our policemen and encourage all to contribute towards making Delhi a greener and cleaner place,” said Naresh Kapoor, Director, BLK Super Speciality Hospital.
The health camp which screened traffic police personnel for their Lung Capacity Test found many symptoms indicative of early signs of Asthma like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, chronic coughing, troubled sleeping due to coughing or wheezing. Medical experts pointed out that the traffic officials are prone to lung diseases given the worsening air quality in Delhi caused by heavy vehicular traffic and industrial pollutant. Around one-fourth of Delhi’s alarming pollution is caused by vehicular emissions. According to the World Health Organisation, Delhi is the most polluted among 1,600 cities across the world.
Dr Vikas Maurya, Senior Consultant, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep disorder at BLK Super Speciality Hospital said, “Traffic Police personnel are the most vulnerable given their prolonged exposure and more prone to catching allergy and infection which can lead to Asthma, and in extreme conditions can cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).” He added that traffic fumes could play a critical role in the induction of allergic conditions. The incidence of allergic diseases has increased over recent years. Several pollutants (NO2, O3, and PM components) are linked to asthma exacerbation and may contribute to asthma pathogenesis.
Out of the 160 who attended screening camp symptoms related to chest and lungs i.e. shortness of breath, wheeze allergy cough etc were found in many. Dr Maurya informed that some of them would require further investigations and treatment. Symptoms of allergy were found in 25 per cent personnel while 25 per cent had abnormal blood pressure.
Dr Muktesh Chander, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said, “Our men brave the worst adversities of pollution besides highest degree of stress and long hours of duty. While we do have regular tests and mechanism to ensure their health is monitored, initiatives like these also help to sensitise our men to address to symptoms related to chest and lung problems. Other than this, we also encourage our men to undergo regular yoga and meditation sessions to keep them fitter and happier. Masks are also provided to them but they are not fully effective against gases.”
Kapoor added, “The Traffic Police are a crucial life line to maintain the traffic law and order in the city and hence this screening camp on asthma is a small gesture by the hospital to help impart knowledge on health care issues faced by them. These men are prone to severe allergy with dust as they are on roads plying with heavy traffic most of the time.”
Previously various studies conducted by Central Road Research Institute, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institutes have confirmed the high vulnerability of traffic policemen which cause chest and lung abnormalities, inflammation of the lung and bronchial hyperactivity which causes asthma.
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