Background: Traffic police officers are essential for road safety but face continuous exposure to vehicular emissions and pollutants, risking their pulmonary health. With urban air pollution rising, particularly from traffic, the respiratory health of those in traffic-related occupations needs thorough examination. This study focuses on the pulmonary functions and clinical profile in traffic police personnel in Puducherry, assessing the impact of prolonged exposure to emissions. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical profile and pulmonary functions of traffic police personnel. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study included 511 traffic police officers, aged 20–58 years, who had worked for more than 1 year in Puducherry. The participants, comprising 466 participants with a mean age 40.61 ± 8.75 years spanning both genders, underwent spirometry testing following ATS guidelines using the PFT RMS Helios 401. Results: The study found a higher prevalence of COPD among field duty officers, who faced greater pollution exposure compared to office duty officers, who exhibited more cases of hypertension. There was no significant difference in diabetes prevalence. Both obstructive and restrictive lung diseases were more common in field duty officers. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to vehicular emissions puts traffic police officers at increased risk of pulmonary function abnormalities. Regular medical check-ups, protective gear, and pollution control measures are essential to safeguard their health.
Kondamudi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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