Media Release
Mangaluru, May 24: As many as 35 traffic cops in the city, diagnosed with weak lung functioning due to dust pollution, were provided with scientifically designed anti-pollution masks costing Rs 400 each. The masks were distributed to the police personnel during a function held at Padua High School auditorium on Sunday May 22.
The project is part of an initiative taken by APD Foundation, which is a non profit NGO, that germinated from Mangaluru in October 2015. APD has been working with a mission to work towards mitigating air pollution and improvise public, environment and economic health of India.
In his welcome and keynote address, Abdullah A Rehman, founder and chief coordinator of APD Foundation said Anti-Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation, an NGO, in association with department of respiratory medicine, Yenepoya Medical College, had conducted a pulmonary function test for Mangaluru city traffic police. 115 traffic cops had undergone pulmonary function test conducted by the foundation. The test showed significant amount of traffic personnel were affected.
"The results revealed that 22.3% of the policemen, having five and less years of service were showing signs of restrictive lungs. Another 26.3% policemen having more than five years of experience are also showing restrictive lung capacity. Pulmonologists from Yenepoya Medical College concluded that there is a significant correlation in lung function and exposure to vehicular pollutants. The number of traffic police with restriction increased with the duration of exposure," said Abdullah A Rehman.
As an immediate remedy to the problem, APD chose to provide the affected police personnel with scientifically designed masks which give a higher degree of protection against pollution, he said.
The masks were distributed by MLA J R Lobo. He symbolically adorned the first mask on ACP (traffic) Udaya Nayak.
Speaking on the occasion MLA J R Lobo said, “When I was small, I did not hear about Bisleri water, but now without Bisleri, we do not organize any programmes. We were drinking water from wells which were scientifically very healthy. The city is now highly polluted and in the coming years, we may have to carry oxygen cylinders with us while we go out.”
Addressing the gathering, the city police commissioner M Chandra Sekhar said cops needs to give more emphasis for their health. “It is very rare to find people who think about the police. The police work under pressure to maintain law and order. If any difficult situation takes place they rush to the spot to bring things under control and there are several situations where they work under immense pressure. Since there is lot of work pressure in the department, policemen always neglect their health. Cops on emergency duty forget to go for medical check-ups," he said.
To make policemen fit and stress-free, Mangaluru city police will encourage cops to practice yoga regularly, the commissioner said. He also said the policemen should utilize the facilities given by the department and go for medical check-ups.
The minister for health and family welfare U T Khader launched'health remedies for better lung' information pamphlet made by APD Foundation. Applauding the foundation for emphasising the problems faced by the traffic policemen, he said that health department will extend all support for the effective implementation of health schemes for policemen.
“The traffic policemen diligently perform their duty undaunted by even the scorching heat. The department should take measures to ensure that they are provided with at least 5 litres of water every day,” he said.
MLA Moideen Bava also spoke on the occasion. DCP (crime and traffic) Dr Sanjeev Patil, ACP Uday Nayak, Dr Lakshmi Kanth, deputy environmental officer of KSPCB and others were also present on the occasion. Mahesh Nayak compered the programme and Bhaskar Arasa delivered the vote of thanks.