Traffic Policemen Research Articles

Respiratory Morbidity Attributed to Auto-exhaust Pollution in Traffic Policemen of Jaipur, India

Aims. This study was conducted to evaluate pulmonary effects of traffic pollution on traffic police. Methods. The traffic police working in Jaipur city were given a predetermined respiratory health questionnaire, and their clinical profile and lung functions were measured. Results. This study showed that there were prominent respiratory symptoms and reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in subjects exposed to traffic pollution. When smokers were excluded, it showed a significant difference in FEV1 data of non-smoking subjects exposed to traffic generated pollution and those not exposed. The difference observed was 95.3 ± 13.6 versus 87.8 ± 0.95%, respectively, and 95%CI = 4.420–10.517, p = 0.001. Conclusions. Respiratory morbidity with respect to lung function tests is observed more in groups working in heavy traffic than the control group.

Globalisation And The Poor Nations

This research examines the issue connected with globalization as it affects the economic welfare of poor nations. Various scholars have expressed their perspectives in relation to the link between trade openness and economic growth. Most of these researches established a positive relationship between trade liberalization and growth. However, the fact of the matter is that many things are not the same in poor nations as they are in the success stories usually recounted. A number of policy recommendation has been made which advise these economies to liberalise with some prudential regulation which seems like the advice to drive to drinks more but with more traffic lights, traffic policemen and lampposts to clutch on their way home. This paper exposes the reality of the calamity befalling poor nations in the hands on the rich ones all in the name of globalization. The paper reviews some definition of globalization, presents the real picture of the general economic welfare of poor nation in the era of intensive globalsiation and proffer policy recommendation on the strategies the poor nations can adopt to integrate fully and derive the immense benefits from globalization process. Keywords: globalization; transport costs; poor; marginalisationJORIND Vol. 5 (2) 2007: pp. 21-21

The relationship among job burnout, personality and coping style in traffic policemen

Objective To explore the correlation between policemen' job burnout and personality,coping style to provide information for the prevention of job burnout. Methods MBI-GS,EPQ-RSC,and SCSQ were conducted in 179 traffic policemen.Results The scores of emotional exhaustion,depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment were 1.90 ±1.18,1.84±1.18,3.00±0.89 respectively.Significant correlation existed among policemen'job burnout, personality and coping style(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The main factors which influence emotional exhaustion include P,E,N,and passive coping styles . The main factors which influence depersonalization are P and N . The main factors which influence reduced personal accomplishment are P and passive coping styles.Conclusion To prevent job burnout in traffic policemen ,efforts should be made to build up the character and cultivate active coping style. Key words: Job burnout; Personality; Coping style; Traffic policemen

Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes About Preventing Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents in Children in Greece

Objective. The aim of this study was to record parents' knowledge and perceptions about the adoption of the appropriate preventive measures in order to avoid serious injury or death of children (as passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists) in case of motor vehicle accidents. Methods. A total of 1000 parents of children, aged 0–14 years old, served as the basis for this study; 854 were parents of students in kindergartens, elementary schools and high schools from both public and private sectors, and 146 were parents of children who visited the outpatient clinic of the Paediatric Department of three major hospitals in Athens, Greece, for various reasons, except for accidents, from Sept. 1, 2004, to Aug. 31, 2005. All participants answered an anonymous questionnaire structured for the needs of this study. Results. Over forty-one percent (41.4%) of the participants believed that they were not sufficiently informed about preventing childhood injuries in car accidents, while 80.4% insisted that children under 12 years old comprehended the concepts of collision, distance, speed, and signals of traffic policemen. Parents' information came from the media (65.6%), brochures (43%), posters (9.4%), and health care professionals (14.2%). Child seats, seat belts, and helmets were not used uniformly (76.1%, 61.8%, and 7.4%, respectively), while the majority of parents (88.4%) positioned their children in the back seat of the vehicle. The results arising from the statistical analysis (p = 0.05) showed that parents' information about preventing childhood injuries in car accidents was associated with mother's age (p = 0.07), father's (p = 0.042) and mother's educational level (p = 0.003), as well as with father's profession (p = 0.031). An association was also found between parents' information about preventing injuries in car accidents and children having been in an accident in the past as passengers (p = 0.042) or bicyclists (p = 0.011). Conclusions. The adoption of harsh measures for preventing the devastating consequences of car accidents in children is of high importance. Parents' rigorous education must become our priority. Health care professionals need to act dynamically in sensitizing Greek parents.

Wanted: traffic policemen for space

Wanted: traffic policemen for space

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.

Exposure assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of traffic policemen from Sofia, Bulgaria

Exposure assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of traffic policemen from Sofia, Bulgaria

Urban air quality and carboxyhemoglobin levels in a group of traffic policemen

Toxicological potential of carbon monoxide (CO) on humans is well known. Nevertheless, CO is still considered as a useful marker to detect some environmental and occupational human risk factors typical of cities. The role played by traffic pollution, indoor air quality in offices and tobacco smoke on the expression of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb%) levels was investigated in a large group of traffic policemen in Torino city (North-Western Italy). At the end of the working shift, 228 policemen responded to a questionnaire, weight and height recorded, urine spot samples collected to measure cotinine as biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure, and an arterial blood sample was taken to measure COHb levels. Data of outdoor urban air-CO were collected and to each subject a "CO outdoor air measurement" was related to his/her COHb level. Considering the annual trend of air-CO pollution from 2002 to 2004, one can assume that a general improvement of air quality in Torino was evident. Taking into account the environments where policemen work (urban outdoor and indoor), and analyzing their COHb% content, the traffic-congested areas, and, in general, the outdoor urban environment were equally risky as offices. Furthermore, if compared to CO arising from traffic-congested areas or other outdoor environments, the traffic policemen in Torino city demonstrate COHb% levels largely due to smoking habits.

Sexual Fertility and Its Relationship to Occupational Hazards

Nitrogen oxide is an important traffic pollution. Nitrogen oxides have been chosen as an indicator substance for estimating the concentration of the urban plume. According to the recent study, the finding that blood methaemoglobin was inversely correlated with sperm parameters indicates that nitrogen oxide adversely affect semen quality. In this paper, the author reports the level of methemoglobin among traffic policemen in Bangkok. The high level implies for sexual fertility in subjects men occupationally exposed to traffic.

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.

A Pilot Study on Using Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene Biomarker for Exposure to PAHs in Beijing

To study whether the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) could be the biomarker of atmospheric PAHs, a small-scale pilot study was carried out on the relation of 1-OHP vs PAHs with the traffic policemen in Beijing of smokers and nonsmokers to be subgroups in both the exposure and control groups. Both the PAHs and 1-OHP were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ambient concentrations of PAHs were different at the different sites (the average sum of PAHs (TPAH) were 12.36, 16.27, 18.37 ng/m(3) at the suburban residential, police station and high traffic area, respectively.), but considerably lower than the personal-exposure concentrations (the average TPAH were 65.84 and 47.28 ng/m(3) for patrol cars and inspection station, respectively). Pyrene was correlated well with BaP and the summed PAHs (TPAH), with the correlation coefficients (R) of 0.79, 0.87 for ambient level and 0.92, 0.96 for personal exposure, respectively. The average of 1-hydroxypyrene of smokers and nonsmokers were 0.39, 0.15 mumol/mol creatinine in control group and 0.57, 0.33 mumol/mol creatinine in exposure group, respectively. The better correlation of pyrene to BaP and TPAH especially for personal exposure samples indicated that the probability of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, the metabolite of pyrene, to be the biomarker of total PAH. Nonsmokers in the exposure and control groups had indistinguishable levels of 1-OHP, presumably because the ambient levels of pyrene were so similar (the average were 3.25, 3.20 ng/m(3) at the police station and high traffic area, respectively.). Smokers in the control group had significantly higher 1-OHP than that of the nonsmokers, but showed indistinguishable differences in the exposure group. These results suggested that urinary 1-OHP could be a biomarker of PAHs only when the level of PAHs was at a relatively higher level. Smoking as an important influencing factor need to be controlled carefully.

Simultaneous determination of urinary hydroxylated metabolites of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene as multiple biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

A method is presented for determining monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs) having 2-, 3- and 4-rings in human urine by using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. A urine sample containing conjugates of OHPAHs was hydrolysed in the presence of beta-glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase and the solution was cleaned up with a solid-phase extraction (C(18) and silica). Eight OHPAHs, namely 1- and 2-hydroxynaphthalenes, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxyphenanthrenes, 3-hydroxyfluoranthene and 1-hydroxypyrene, were separated and 1- and 9-hydroxyphenanthrenes co-eluted on an alkylamide-type reversed-phase column with fluorimetric detection. The urinary concentrations of OHPAHs were quantified by using deuterated 1-hydoxypyrene as an internal standard. The method showed good repeatability for inter- and intra-day precisions as well as good linearity of calibration curves (r (2) ranged from 0.996 to 0.999). The limits of detection (S/N=3) were in the range from 2.3 fmol to 2.2 pmol per injection. This method was successfully applied to urine samples from non-smoking taxi drivers, traffic policemen and rural villagers of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The results showed higher urinary concentrations of OHPAHs in rural villagers, consistent with higher respiratory exposure to PAHs.

A study of Chinese truck drivers’ attitudes toward feedback by technology

Prior research indicates that trucks are very likely to be involved in accidents in China due to the poor condition of trucks and unsafe driving behaviors. The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the safe/unsafe driving behaviors of Chinese truck drivers, and (2) to examine whether Chinese truck drivers recognize a need for feedback and what their attitudes are in terms of receiving feedback from both technology and from individuals to improve driving safety. Eight sessions of focus group discussions were carried out with Chinese truck drivers, middle-level managers in the freight transportation business, and traffic policemen. The results showed that the most important safety issues to Chinese truck drivers are speeding and overloading. Chinese truck drivers would like to receive more feedback. Yet feedback is considered negative in nature. Although some Chinese truck drivers are afraid of not being able to operate the in-vehicle technology, in general, they are more confident with feedback by in-vehicle technology because it is considered objective and scientific. For this reason this kind of feedback is preferred by some over feedback from a human.

Sputum induced cellularity in a group of traffic policemen

It has been demonstrated that a group of workers (e.g. waste handlers) daily exposed to a traffic related air pollution present airway inflammation in term of an increase of neutrophilic inflammation. The aim of our study was to determine the presence of airways inflammation detected by induced sputum in a population of traffic policemen (TP) in the city of Bari, compared to a group of healthy subjects (HS) without any occupational exposure to inhalation of traffic-related air pollution. Twelve non smokers, non atopics, healthy traffic policemen with a history of exposure to airway pollution and 12 HS underwent sputum induction.TP show a statistically significant increase in the percentage neutrophil cell count (median and IQ range) compared to the HS (65 and 13.5 vs. 40.5 and 9.5; p<0.01). In conclusion we have found that policemen chronically exposed to air pollution presented airway neutrophilic inflammation and the results of this pilot study could be strictly considered for the long term effect of a traffic pollution in airway inflammation and the lung function.

An analysis of factors that influence personal exposure to toluene and xylene in residents of Athens, Greece

BackgroundPersonal exposure to pollutants is influenced by various outdoor and indoor sources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of Athens citizens to toluene and xylene, excluding exposure from active smoking.MethodsPassive air samplers were used to monitor volunteers, their homes and various urban sites for one year, resulting in 2400 measurements of toluene and xylene levels. Since both indoor and outdoor pollution contribute significantly to human exposure, volunteers were chosen from occupational groups who spend a lot of time in the streets (traffic policemen, bus drivers and postmen), and from groups who spend more time indoors (teachers and students). Data on individual and house characteristics were obtained using a questionnaire completed at the beginning of the study; a time-location-activity diary was also completed daily by the volunteers in each of the six monitoring campaigns.ResultsAverage personal toluene exposure varied over the six monitoring campaigns from 53 to 80 μg/m3. Urban and indoor concentrations ranged from 47 – 84 μg/m3 and 30 – 51 μg/m3, respectively. Average personal xylene exposure varied between 56 and 85 μg/m3 while urban and indoor concentrations ranged from 53 – 88 μg/m3 and 27 – 48 μg/m3, respectively. Urban pollution, indoor residential concentrations and personal exposures exhibited the same pattern of variation during the measurement periods. This variation among monitoring campaigns might largely be explained by differences in climate parameters, namely wind speed, humidity and amount of sunlight.ConclusionIn Athens, Greece, the time spent outdoors in the city center during work or leisure makes a major contribution to exposure to toluene and xylene among non-smoking citizens. Indoor pollution and means of transportation contribute significantly to individual exposure levels. Other indoor residential characteristics such as recent painting and mode of heating used might also contribute significantly to individual levels. Groups who may be subject to higher exposures (e.g. those who spent more time outdoors because of occupational activities) need to be surveyed and protected against possible adverse health effects.

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.

Self-reported hearing quality of traffic policemen: A questionnaire-based study

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of traffic policemen towards the health effects caused by noise pollution. Materials and Methods: The present questionnaire-based study was carried out among 86 traffic policemen randomly selected for an awareness workshop for prevention of noise pollution. The questionnaire included questions regarding the self-assessment of the policemen about their hearing ability, past and present exposure to loud sound and the use of personal protective devices such as earplugs and earmuffs. The questionnaire was filled up by the subjects. The data analysis was carried out using Epi Info 3.3.2 and included calculation of percentages and proportions and application of the test of significance. Results: The mean age was 39.2 ± 7.8 years and the mean years of exposure was 2.1 ± 1.8 years. Only 2.3% of the subjects felt that their hearing ability was below average. 11.6% complained of regular tinnitus, while 62.8% had work-related tinnitus and experienced it during working hours only. Only 4.7% used earplugs and that too, very seldom. Reasons for non-usage of earplugs/earmuffs included non-availability (65.1%), discomfort (11.6%), bad fit (2.3%), personal dislike (16.3%) and headache caused by its use (4.7%). 67.4% subjects did not use any method to reduce exposure to noise, while remaining used fingers, hands and cotton to avoid noise exposure. Conclusion: The self-assessment of hearing by traffic policemen suggests that most of the traffic policemen have normal hearing. However, a systematic study with audiometry of these subjects is recommended.

Inverse Correlation of the Urine Biomarker for Benzene Exposure and CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Count in Traffic Policemen

Inverse Correlation of the Urine Biomarker for Benzene Exposure and CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Count in Traffic Policemen

Occupational exposure to urban pollutants and plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

The aim of present study is to evaluate whether traffic policemen exposed to urban pollutants and possible psycho-social stressors could be at risk of alterations on plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels compared to a control group. Out of a population of 395 Municipal Police employees, the subjects with principal confounding factors (cigarette smoking habits, drinking habits, oral contraceptives being taken, use of paints, solvents and pesticides) were excluded from the study. The remaining traffic policemen were matched with those not exposed by sex, age and length of service; 49 traffic policemen (22 men and 27 women) with outdoor activity exposed to urban pollutants and 49 not exposed subjects (22 men and 27 women) with indoor activity were included in the study. The plasma levels of IGF-1 resulted significantly higher in the male and female traffic policemen compared with control subjects (respectively P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The authors hypothesise that occupational exposure to chemical stressors, that may interact with possible psycho-social stressors, could cause an alteration on IGF-1 levels in traffic policemen.

Urban pollution and nickel concentration in serum

The study's objective has been to evaluate whether urban pollution, here nickel compounds and metallic nickel (Ni) are present, could determine serum concentrations of the above mentioned metal. Out of a population of 394 Municipal Police employees, subjects with main confounding factors were eliminated. The remaining subjects were made comparable for sex, age, and length of employment. Thus, 160 subjects were included in the study: 80 traffic policemen (42 men and 38 women) with outdoor activity exposed to urban pollutants in a direct way, and 80 administrative workers (42 men and 38 women) with indoor unexposed activity. The results obtained in the studied population demonstrate that in traffic policemen the serum levels of Ni are more elevated than those in administrative workers; both in male and female workers. The authors hypothesise that the presence of Ni as fuel additive in lead free fuels and as catalyser in catalytic exhausts, which have been obligatory in Italy in new cars for the last 10 years, could be one of the causes for the increased serum levels of the above mentioned metal in traffic policemen.