Over 50 per c ent of the city's traffic police personnel are struggling to breathe, hear and stand. Their eight-hour gruelling shift spent on the roads managing traffic amidst air and noise pollution is making them prone to ENT, respiratory disorders and spine-related problems.
While a study on the effects of their constant exposure to pollution is underway at the AP General and Chest Hospital, doctors from this hospital said that the recommendations given in a previous study have not been implemented so far. The 3,000-odd (both Hyderabad and Cyberabad traffic police) constables in the city continue to suffer in rain and shine without any protective gear.
"In the studies, we found that they exhaled higher amount of carbon monoxide, which is dangerous for the heart. Increased exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Asthma attacks are also exaggerated among traffic constables," said Dr K Subhakar, chest physician, Chest Hospital. Doctors said the public should also act responsibly and switch off the engine at traffic junctions.
Even though the traffic police wing have started conducting health camps for traffic constables at various jurisdictions over the last few days, the detection is not up to optimum level. "Such camps can only pick up major events. The detection is done roughly and less than 10 per cent of the problems are picked up. They have to go for total testing," said Dr P N S Reddy, chest physician. Doctors say that constables are not even provided masks and the deterrent possibly is the Rs 1 lakh monthly expenditure the department would incur if it does supply the masks.
Officials say they are aware of the health problems of constables and are working on them now. "About 50 per cent of them develop health problems over a period of time unless they take precautions. We are training them in yoga and pranayam," said C V Anand, additional commissioner, traffic, Hyderabad. That's possibly a case of too little too late.
Recently at a programme on 'World Deaf Day', an NGO donated around 150 ear plugs to the traffic constables to reduce the intensity of noise pollution.
City police commissioner A K Khan had then announced that all the traffic constables would be provided with these machines if found effective. But specialists say that such announcements had remained only on paper.
While a study on the effects of their constant exposure to pollution is underway at the AP General and Chest Hospital, doctors from this hospital said that the recommendations given in a previous study have not been implemented so far. The 3,000-odd (both Hyderabad and Cyberabad traffic police) constables in the city continue to suffer in rain and shine without any protective gear.
"In the studies, we found that they exhaled higher amount of carbon monoxide, which is dangerous for the heart. Increased exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Asthma attacks are also exaggerated among traffic constables," said Dr K Subhakar, chest physician, Chest Hospital. Doctors said the public should also act responsibly and switch off the engine at traffic junctions.
Even though the traffic police wing have started conducting health camps for traffic constables at various jurisdictions over the last few days, the detection is not up to optimum level. "Such camps can only pick up major events. The detection is done roughly and less than 10 per cent of the problems are picked up. They have to go for total testing," said Dr P N S Reddy, chest physician. Doctors say that constables are not even provided masks and the deterrent possibly is the Rs 1 lakh monthly expenditure the department would incur if it does supply the masks.
Officials say they are aware of the health problems of constables and are working on them now. "About 50 per cent of them develop health problems over a period of time unless they take precautions. We are training them in yoga and pranayam," said C V Anand, additional commissioner, traffic, Hyderabad. That's possibly a case of too little too late.
Recently at a programme on 'World Deaf Day', an NGO donated around 150 ear plugs to the traffic constables to reduce the intensity of noise pollution.
City police commissioner A K Khan had then announced that all the traffic constables would be provided with these machines if found effective. But specialists say that such announcements had remained only on paper.
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