Male Traffic Policemen Research Articles

Risk factors analysis: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among male traffic policemen using high-powered motorcycles

IntroductionThe occupational safety and health issues for police riders and other professional riders are often related to ergonomic hazards and risks. The purpose of this research was to identify the factors that contribute to the health effects in developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among male traffic policemen using high-powered motorcycles. Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using 137 police riders. A set of questionnaires including the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) and human vibration meter (Svantek 106) was used in this study. ResultsThe prevalence of WMSDs was 67.9%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the duration of riding a motorcycle (OR = 0.175, 95% CI:0.052, 0.581), years of service (OR = 0.152, 95% CI: 0.040, 0.567), and hand-arm vibration, HAV (OR = 3.053, 95% CI: 1.126, 8.280) were significant risk factors for the prevalence of WMSDs. DiscussionThe majority of riders reported symptoms of WMSDs within the past 12 months. Riding duration, years of service, and hand-arm vibration (HAV) were found to be the most important risk factors for WMSDs in this rider group. The results highlight that in the context of ergonomic interaction, high-powered motorcycles and the police riders are not a good fit. Hence, further study is needed to improve the safety and health of the police riders.

Genotoxic Effects of GSTP1 Gene Polymorphisms with Respect to Respiratory Problems among Traffic Police

Genetic susceptibility is likely to play a role in response to vehicular pollution of GSTP1 and NAT2 (C481T). Genotoxic effects due to respiratory problems in traffic police occupationally exposed to vehicular exhaust have particular importance in the detoxification of inhaled toxicants since it is the most abundant in the lung function and the association.161 male traffic policemen and 170 control subjects were selected for this study. Gene polymorphism was studied using PCR and RFLP method. The results on gene polymorphism of GSTP1 and NAT2 (C481T) showed significant association of homozygous mutant genotype (GG) in GSTP1 gene and homozygous mutant genotype (CC) in NAT2 gene with traffic police having respiratory problems. However, no such association was observed in traffic police without respiratory problems and control group also. Our results suggest that long term exposure to urban air pollution (with traffic as the main contributor) polymorphisms in genetic susceptibility provides evidence to suggest a role in determining the respiratory problems in GSTP1 and NAT2 (C481T) variants associated with reduced detoxification ability, increase susceptibility to such damage and appears to be associated with occupationally exhaust vehicular exhaust in traffic policemen.

Association of gene polymorphism in detoxification enzymes and urinary 8-OHdG levels in traffic policemen exposed to vehicular exhaust

Context: With rapid economic growth and massive development of transportation, the number of automobiles has greatly increased. Traffic police are the one of the vulnerable groups predominantly exposed to vehicular exhaust during traffic control.Objective The present study is aimed to study the relation between occupational exposure to vehicular exhaust and oxidative stress (OS) in traffic police. We investigated the levels of 8- hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), one of the most sensitive biomarkers for measuring OS and the association between polymorphisms in Cytochrome P450 (CYP) and Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) genes that are known to play a significant role in the activation and detoxification of xenobiotics.Materials and methods: 148 non smoking male traffic policemen and 135 control subjects were selected for this study. The 8-OHdG levels were analyzed by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection method. Gene polymorphism was detected by multiplex PCR and RFLP method.Results: 8-OHdG levels were found to be increased in traffic police with increase in the years of service in traffic control (p = 0.02) when compare to the controls. The results showed a significant increase in urinary 8-OHdG levels in mutated CYP1A1m1 (p < 0.007) and null GSTM1 (p < 0.01) genotypes. However the genotype frequencies of CYP1A1 m2 and GSTT1 genes did not vary in both exposed and control groups.Conclusion: Our study suggests that exposure to vehicular exhaust over a period of time increases oxidative stress and subsequently induces oxidative DNA damage in traffic policemen. Preventive and therapeutic strategies may be considered for traffic policemen to minimize the adverse effects due to vehicular exposure.

Professional exposure to urban stressors and effects on urinary metanephrines

The aim of the study is to assess whether occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in urinary metanephrines levels in traffic policemen vs administrative staff of municipal police. A total of 258 subjects were included in the study: 129 traffic policemen exposed to urban stressors (68 males and 61 females) and 129 controls (68 males and 61 females). Urinary metanephrines mean levels were significantly higher in male traffic policemen compared to controls (p < 0.01). No significant differences were in female traffic policemen compared to controls. In the control group, urinary metanephrines mean levels were significantly higher in females compared to males (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in urinary metanephrines mean levels in female traffic policemen vs male traffic policemen. The increase in urinary metanephrines mean levels observed in male exposed compared to controls could be related to chronic occupational exposure to low doses of chemical, physical and psychosocial urban stressors.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in male workers exposed to urban stressors

The aim of the study is to evaluate if occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels in male traffic policemen vs. administrative staff of Municipal Police. After excluding the subjects with the main confounding factors, male traffic police and administrative staff of Municipal Police were matched by age, working life, body mass index (BMI), alcohol drinking habit, cigarette smoking habit and habitual consumption of Italian coffee. In 166 male traffic police mean LH values were significantly higher compared to 166 male administrative employees. The distribution of LH values in traffic police and in administrative employees was statistically significant. Our results suggest that recent exposure to urban stressors (chemical, physical and psycho-social) can alter the plasma concentration of LH. In agreement with our previous research, levels of plasma LH may be used as early biological markers, valuable for the group, used in occupational set before the appearance of the disease.

Respiratory Evidence for Health Risks from Inhaled Car Exhaust in Traffic Policemen in Khartoum State

The objective: of this study is to evaluate the effect of exposure to car emission on respiratory parameters in traffic policemen working in Khartoum state (Khartoum South, Khartoum North and Omdurman) during the period from 21 March to 15 may 2002. Methods: A case-control study with a total of 175 male traffic policemen who have volunteered to participate in the study was conducted. They were divided into four groups according to the state of exposure to car exhaust. Traffic policemen who were not exposed to car exhaust and not smokers were taken as controls, and exposed non-smokers were considered as study group. Questionnaire was distributed to collect relevant information from participants. Standard anthropometric instruments were used for weight and height. Microspirometer and mini peak flowmeter were used to measure FEV1, PEFR and FVC. Results: Out of the 175 participants 90 were exposed to car exhaust; of these 55 were not smokers. The anthropometric parameters in the study group (exposed non-smokers) were similar to the control group. The lung function tests were not different from the control. Concerning exposure to car exhaust there was insignificant negative correlation between the duration of exposure and PEFR, FEV1and the FEV1/FVC ratio. There were no differences between the control and other group in lung functions so that chronic exposure to car exaust has no significant effect on lung functions in Sudan.

Plasma 17-α-OH-progesterone in Male Workers Exposed to Traffic Pollutants

The aim of the study is to evaluate if the occupational exposure to urban pollutants could cause alterations on 17-alfa-hydroxy-progesterone plasma levels and related diseases in male traffic policemen. 17-alpha-OH-P is synthesized in Leydig cells and in adrenals; it influences spermiogenesis, acrosoma reaction, testosterone biosynthesis, blocking of gonadotropin secretion; it regulates learning, memory and sleep. After excluding principal confounding factors, i.e., rotating or night shifts, exposure to solvents, paints and pesticides during time-off and smoking, traffic policemen were matched with controls by age, working life and drinking habit. Finally, 112 traffic policemen and 112 controls were included in the study. In traffic policemen 17-alpha-OH-P mean values were significantly higher vs. controls. The distribution of 17-alpha-OH-P values in both groups was significant. An increased frequency of fertility disorders referred to the questionnaire items were found in traffic policemen vs. controls, but the difference was not significant. The occupational exposure to low doses of chemical urban stressor, interacting with and adding to the psychosocial ones, could alter plasma 17-alpha-OH-P concentrations in traffic policemen vs. controls. 17-alpha-OH-P could be used as an early biological marker, even before the onset of the reproductive and mental health diseases.

Effects on Androstenedione in Male Workers Exposed to Urban Stressors

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in androstenedione plasma levels in male traffic policemen compared to a control group. After excluding the principal confounding factors, traffic policemen were matched with controls by age, working life, body mass index (BMI), drinking habit, and habitual soy intake in diet. One hundred and ten traffic policemen and 110 controls were included in the study. In male traffic policemen, mean androstenedione values were significantly lower compared to controls. The distribution of androstenedione values in traffic policemen and in controls was significant. Our results suggest that the occupational exposure to chemical urban stressors, interacting with and adding to the psychosocial ones, could alter androstenedione plasma concentrations in traffic policemen compared to a control group. According to our previous research, androstenedione could be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group to be employed in occupational settings, even before the onset of the endocrine reproductive health diseases.