New tech to reduce baggage screening time at Ahemdabad airport
The grim reality of traffic duty in Ahmedabad has been laid bare in a recent study, which underscores the dangerous impact of prolonged exposure to vehicular emissions on the city’s traffic cops. The research, conducted in August 2024, focused on 100 traffic police officers aged between 20 and 60, comparing the lung health of those stationed at busy traffic junctions with those working desk jobs in a controlled environment. What it revealed is deeply concerning: exposure to pollutants is impairing the lung function of these vital workers, with consequences that could have long-term health implications.
The study found that even non-smoking traffic officials subjected to continuous exposure to vehicle emissions exhibited noticeably compromised lung capacity. Non-smokers who worked at traffic junctions could exhale about 2.31 litres of air per second, a vital measure of lung health, known as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). However, their smoking colleagues could only exhale 1.95 litres, a sharp reduction that indicates compromised breathing efficiency. When compared to traffic cops working desk jobs who could exhale 2.75 litres per second, the difference is stark—highlighting the severe toll of working in such a hazardous environment.
Additionally, the study examined other critical parameters, including the forced vital capacity (FVC)—the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after taking a deep breath. The results here were equally worrying. Traffic officials who smoked and worked on the streets had a significantly lower FVC ratio of just 68%, compared to non-smoking traffic officials who managed a ratio of 75.7%. The study also measured peak expiratory flow rates, which gauge how quickly an individual can exhale. Here, non-smoking traffic officers recorded an average of 372.4 litres per minute, while their smoking counterparts only managed 338.7 litres per minute. This disparity is crucial, as it suggests a direct connection between exposure to traffic pollution and diminishing respiratory health.
These findings call for urgent intervention from urban planners and policymakers. The research team has strongly recommended the adoption of protective measures for these officers, including regular lung function checks and the provision of protective masks. Moreover, the study advocates for a broader urban planning overhaul, with stricter pollution control regulations and the development of cleaner alternatives in high-exposure zones. This isn’t merely a public health issue—it’s a civic responsibility to protect the well-being of those who keep the city’s wheels turning.
The sustainability angle here is clear: reducing traffic pollution should be a priority not only for the health of traffic cops but also for the general population. Cleaner, greener cities are healthier cities, and making improvements to urban infrastructure, air quality, and public health systems should go hand in hand. This study serves as a wake-up call for cities across India, where traffic-related air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to public health. The future of urban life depends on the actions we take today, to ensure that essential workers, like traffic cops, are not sacrificing their health for their duty.
