Respiratory Effects of Air Pollution in Traffic Police Personnel in The Metropolitan City of Hyderabad: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Traffic police personnel are continuously exposed to vehicular air pollution. This study aimed to assess the respiratory effects of air pollution in traffic police personnel in Hyderabad, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 103 traffic police personnel aged 20-60 years with at least 2 years of service, working in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area, and was conducted at a tertiary care chest hospital from November 2019 to November 2021. Symptoms were recorded with a respiratory questionnaire and spirometry was performed.

Results: Of the 103 personnel, 67 (65.0%) were male, 42 (40.8%) had more than 10 years of service

and 24 (23.3%) were smokers. Eye burning (27.2%), shortness of breath (23.3%) and cough (22.3%) were the commonest symptoms. Small airway disease was found in 55 (53.4%) and obstructive airway disease in 3 (2.9%), and 45 (43.7%) had normal spirometry. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was significantly lower in personnel with more than 5 years of service (p = 0.003), with no difference in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) or forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%). Smokers had significantly lower PEFR (p = 0.013) and FEF25-75% (p< 0.001) than non-smokers.

Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms and small airway disease were common among traffic police personnel, and PEFR was lower in those with longer service and in smokers. Periodic spirometric health monitoring is recommended.