Exposure to vehicular pollution and respiratory impairment of traffic policemen in Jalgaon City, India

The ambient air quality monitoring was carried during the May 2003 to April 2004 along the (NH-6) passing through Jalgaon city. The average concentration of SOx 64 microg/m3, NOx 58 microg/ m3, particulates (> 10 micro) 515 microg/m3 and respirable dust particulates 224 microg/m3 was reported at Prabhat during the study period (May 2003-April 2004). This location represents the major highway crossings (four) in the study area. The present investigations are on the survey of health status and lung function of traffic policemen exposed to the inferior air quality as observed on the highway crossings. The spirometric analysis of traffic policemen shows significant variation in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The parameters were significantly affected in the traffic policemen as against the control group of population. It reveals significant respiratory impairment in the traffic policemen due to exposure to vehicular pollution. The study suggest the compulsory use of personal protective equipment (nose mask) by the traffic policemen during duty hours will help for the protection from vehicular pollution. The regular periodic health checkup is required to understand the impact of vehicular pollution on the health of traffic policemen.     

Environmental and biological monitoring of arsenic in outdoor workers exposed to urban air pollutants

The aim of this study is to evaluate personal exposure to As in urban air in two groups of outdoor workers (traffic policemen and police drivers) of a big Italian city through: (a) environmental monitoring of As obtained by personal samples and (b) biological monitoring of total urinary As. The possible influence of smoking habit on urinary As was evaluated. We studied 122 male subjects, all Municipal Police employees: 84 traffic policemen and 38 police drivers exposed to urban pollutants. Personal exposure to As in air was significantly higher in traffic policemen than in police drivers (p=0.03). Mean age, length of service, alcohol drinking habit, number of cigarettes smoked/day and BMI were comparable between the groups of subjects studied. All subjects were working in the same urban area where they had lived for at least 5 yrs. Dietary habits and consumption of water from the water supply and/or mineral water were similar in traffic policemen and in police drivers. The values of total urinary As were significantly higher in traffic policemen (smokers and non smokers) than in police drivers (smokers and non smokers) (p=0.02). In the subgroup of non-smokers the values of total urinary As were significantly higher in traffic policemen than in police drivers (p=0.03). In traffic policemen and in police drivers total urinary As values were significantly correlated to the values of As in air (respectively r=0.9 and r=0.8, p<0.001). This is the first research in literature studying the exposure to As in outdoor workers occupationally exposed to urban pollutants, such as traffic policemen and police drivers. Personal exposure to As in the air, as well as the urinary excretion of As, is significantly higher in traffic policemen compared to drivers. These results can provide information about exposure to As in streets and in car for other categories of outdoor workers similarly exposed.     

Pulmonary nodules in workers exposed to urban stressor

By multilayer spiral low-dose computed tomography (LD-CT) of the chest this study assesses the early detection of lung lesions on a sample of 100 traffic policemen of a big Italian city professionally exposed to urban pollutants and 100 controls non-occupationally exposed to urban pollutants matched by sex, age, length of service and cigarette smoking habit. Exposure to urban pollutants in traffic policemen was characterized using the annual average concentrations of PM₁₀, NO₂ and benzene in the period 1998-2008 measured by fixed monitoring stations located in different areas of the city. A significant and increasing number of suspicious lung nodules with diameters between 5 and 10 mm was observed: in traffic policemen (including smokers and non-smokers) vs. controls (including smokers and non-smokers); in total smokers (including traffic policemen and controls) vs. total non-smokers (traffic policemen and controls); in smoker traffic policemen vs. smoker controls and vs. non-smoker traffic policemen; in non-smoker traffic policemen vs. non-smoker controls. The RR of finding cases with at least one lung nodule with diameters between 5 and 10 mm in traffic policemen (including smokers and non-smokers) compared to controls (including smokers and non-smokers) is 1.94 (CI 1.13-3.31); in total smokers vs. non-smokers the RR is 1.96 (CI 1.20-3.19). The comparison between the interaction exposure and smoking shows an increase in smoker traffic policemen than in smoker controls (RR=2.14; CI 1.02-4.52). The RR for smoker traffic policemen was higher than in non-smoker traffic policemen (RR=2.09; CI 1.19-3.66). The results of our study show that: (1) while smoker workers have a higher risk for developing solid suspicious lung nodules, the simple routinely exposure to urban pollutants is unable to produce the same kind of increased risk; (2) the interaction of smoking and exposure to urban pollutants greatly increases the risk for the development of solid suspicious lung nodules. In conclusion, the use of chest LD-CT in workers at risk helps identify suspicious solid lung nodules at early stage.     

广州市交通警察淋巴细胞DNA损伤的研究

目的研究交通警察的职业暴露与吸烟对淋巴细胞DNA损伤的影响.方法研究对象为广州市8个区的交通警共812人(男741人、女71人,其中内勤130人、外勤682人).静脉取血,以淋巴细胞分离液分离淋巴细胞.以彗星电泳的方法测定淋巴细胞DNA的损伤.结果未经校正的结果表明,内勤警平均年龄[(37.7±9.5)岁]较外勤警[(32.3±8.1)岁]大,且差异有显著性(P＜0.01).性别(P=0.08)与年龄(P=0.45)对DNA损伤无影响.外勤警淋巴细胞彗星尾矩为4.20μm,95%CI为3.98～4.42μm,内勤警为3.23μm,95%CI为2.82～3.70μm,表明外勤警的DNA损伤较内勤警为重,差异有显著性(P＜0.01).吸烟者淋巴细胞彗星尾矩为4.66μm,95%CI为4.37～4.97μm,不吸烟者为3.47μm,95%CI为3.21～3.75μm,而戒烟者则为3.28(2.57～4.17)μm,表明吸烟者的DNA损伤较戒烟者和不吸烟者为重,差异有显著性(P＜0.01).在非吸烟者中,仅在家中的被动吸烟可使DNA损伤增加,但如果将外勤警除外,则工作场所的被动吸烟也可使DNA损伤增加.以协方差分析调整了各因素的影响,发现外勤警的职业、吸烟与女性性别可使淋巴细胞DNA损伤增加,且差异均有显著性(P＜0.01).未发现年龄与被动吸烟对DNA损伤有影响.结论交通警的职业暴露与吸烟可使DNA损伤增加,女性交通警较男性交通警DNA损伤为重.     

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.     

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.     

New Developments in High Pressure Living

The hazard of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in dense traffic was examined in policemen by analysis of the carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in blood, after they had controlled the traffic during rush hours. The mean COHb levels in smokers were from three to five times higher than in nonsmokers who had a normal, or only slightly increased, COHb concentration in blood. The COHb in smokers tended to decrease when their hours of traffic duty increased. Since the increase of COHb, due to smoking, conceals the effect exerted on COHb by exposure to air in crowded city streets, the biologically significant CO exposure, due to urban air pollution, ought to be evaluated on the basis of the COHb levels in nonsmokers.     

Exposure to urban pollutants and serum levels of IgG anti Herpes Simplex virus type 1

The aim of the study is to investigate whether traffic policemen exposed to urban pollutants and psycho-social stressors may be at risk of modifications in serum levels of immunoglobulins G antibodies (IgG Ab) against Herpes Simplex Virus (type1) (HSV-1) compared with controls. Traffic policemen were matched by sex, age, working life and drinking habits (less than two glasses of wine or beer per day) with controls, after excluding the subjects with the principal confounding factors (smoking habit, use of paints, solvents, pesticides and drinking habits). Were included in the study 125 traffic policemen (54 men and 71 women) with outdoor activity and 125 controls (54 men and 71 women) with indoor activity. Mean levels of IgG Ab against HSV-1 were significantly higher in traffic policemen of both sexes compared with controls. The frequency of workers with IgG Ab against HSV-1 levels higher than our normal laboratory values, was significant in traffic policemen compared with controls of both sexes. The distributions of IgG Ab against HSV-1 levels in traffic policemen compared with controls of both sexes were significant. The authors hypothesise an effect of the working activity in traffic policemen on serum levels of IgG Ab against HSV-1 compared to controls.     

太原市交通警察生殖系统铅负荷初探

本研究以２３名外勤交警队员作接触组，分析精液，血铅水平，同时调查市内交通铅污染现状。结果显示，交通警察长期低浓度铅接触，生殖系统铅负荷明显增加（Ｐ＜０．００１），提示关方面应注意铅对交通警察生殖系统的影响。     

Urban CO exposure and its health effects on traffic policemen in Ankara

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes. CO can cause chronic poisoning which shows its first symptoms as headaches, blurry vision, difficulty in concentration, and confusion. With the increasing number of vehicles in metropolitan areas of Turkey, the CO level has also increased in the city air as is the case in the capital city of Ankara, especially at certain locations. As far as the effects of CO on humans are concerned, traffic policemen are the population group under risk due to their inhalation of CO-rich air while on duty at the crowded cross-sections of the city. The traffic policemen on duty at these cross-sections are exposed to these high levels of CO for at least 6 h. This study was performed to investigate the traffic policemen (traffic organizers) who are exposed to high concentrations of CO at crowded cross-sections of Ankara City and to find out if chronic CO intoxication exits among this risk group. The CO levels in the ambient air at these cross-sections have also been compared to, and correlated with measurements of CO in the expired air of the target population. Additional factors like smoking, general health status, type of heating systems used at home, etc., have been taken into consideration by evaluating special questionnaires filled out by the policemen. A control group of clerk policemen, who were not engaged in street traffic activities was formed for comparative purposes.     

Plasma 17-alpha-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.     

Exposure to urban pollutants and plasma vasopressin in traffic policemen

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether traffic policemen of a big city exposed to urban pollutants may be at risk of alterations on plasma vasopressin (VP) concentrations compared with a control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of a population of 395 Municipal Police employees, the subjects with the principal confounding factors were excluded from the study. Traffic policemen and control subjects were matched by sex, age and working life. Plasma VP levels were determined in 82 subjects: 41 traffic policemen (18 men, 23 women) and 41 control subjects (18 men, 23 women). RESULTS: Mean of VP values were found significantly lower in traffic policemen than in the control group both in men (P=0.010) and in women (P=0.015). We found high correlation between VP values and working life in traffic policemen of male and female sex (r=0.7; r=0.6). DISCUSSION: The authors hypothesise an effect on plasma VP levels in traffic policemen exposed to chemical and physical stressors, according to plasma VP levels modifications found by other authors in studies on animals and human subjects.     

Plasma cortisol concentrations and lifestyle in a population of outdoor workers

The aim of this study was to assess whether exposure to urban pollution in outdoor workers, may alter plasma cortisol concentrations also in relation to the effect of smoking and drinking habits. The research was carried out on 498 outdoor police workers, divided into three groups; Group A: traffic policemen (TP), Group B: drivers (D), Group C: Other duties (OD). To evaluate separately the effect of using alcohol and smoking, each group was divided into three subgroups: (1) non-smokers and non-drinkers, (2) smokers and non-drinkers, (3) non-smokers and drinkers. Our results show cortisol mean values were significantly higher in the TP group compared to the D and OD groups without significant differences between the last two groups. The results suggest that exposure to pollutants associated with urban psychosocial stress may play a more important role on plasma cortisol levels than smoking and alcohol.     

交通警察精神及神经行为功能状况调查研究

目的：评价交通污染对交通警察精神及神经行为功能状况的影响。方法：选取202名外勤交通警察作为暴露组,171名其他警种警察为对照组,两组均为男性,采用SCL－90症状自评量表和WHO推荐的神经行为核心测验组合（NCTB）同时进行精神及神经行为功能状况调查。结果：SCL－90症状自评量表结果显示：交警阳性项目数平均为36．56,其他警种警察为28．82,两者差异有非常显著性意义（P＜0．01）。神经行为功能测试结果显示：与对照组相比,交警多项指标得分降低,其中数字跨度－倒序的差异有高度显著性（P＝0．001）,视觉记忆（P＝0．095）、数字译码（P＝0．108）和目标追踪（P＝0．073）三项指标的差异接近显著性。随警龄增高,SCL－90症状自评量表中躯体不适因子分增高,神经行为标准得分则有降低的趋势。结论：由于多种职业有害因素的同时增加了对交通警察精神和神经系统损伤的危险性。     

交警呼出气中一氧化碳的快速监测

目的　探讨交警呼出气一氧化碳（ＣＯｂ） 快速检测结果。方法　采用英国制造的一氧化碳 （ＣＯ） 微型监测仪监测２ ０１５ 名广州市交通警察ＣＯｂ 水平并调查询问某些相关因素如吸烟和职业暴露等。结果　ＣＯｂ 呈正偏态分布, 浓度范围为３－７５ ～５３－７５ ｍｇ／ ｍ ３, 中位数１１－２５ ｍｇ／ ｍ ３, 异常率４２－３ ％ （８５２／２ ０１５） , ＣＯｂ 浓度随吸烟量、烟龄的增加而增加, 监测前１ 小时内吸烟者其浓度较高; 不吸烟男交警, 不同区域、岗位ＣＯｂ 浓度旧市区高于新市区, 定岗指挥交通高于内勤和机动巡逻。结论： 吸烟和接触汽车废气是使交警ＣＯ 水平增加的主要因素, 本研究所用ＣＯ 监测仪使用方便, 检测快速, 可试用于职业接触ＣＯ 人群的预防性健康监护。     

自贡市空气污染及人群暴露量研究

为研究空气污染与人群健康的关系,对１０６１例不同职业人群暴露在不同微环境的暴露时间及该环境中主要污染物如可吸入尘（ＩＰ）、二氧化硫（ＳＯ２）、氮氧化物（ＮＯｘ）、硫化氢（Ｈ２Ｓ）和一氧化碳（ＣＯ）暴露水平进行调查。结果表明,人群一日中平均暴露时间最长为卧室,长达１４．３３ｈ／ｄ,占５９．７４％,厨房暴露１．６３ｈ／ｄ,占６．７５％。人群平均总暴露量为５４．８３８ｍｇ／ｄ,退休人员最高（５９．０６５     

吸烟和交通废气污染联合作用对交通警察健康影响的研究

目的 调查唐山市交通废气污染现状，探讨吸烟和交通废气污染联合作用对交通警察的健康影响。方法 选择三个有代表性路口进行环境监测，包括可吸入性颗粒物(IP)、氮氧化物(NOx)、一氧化碳(CO)、总烃(CmHn)和铅尘(Pb)浓度。采用现况研究的方法，以唐山市196名男性外勤交通警察(外勤警)和148名男性内勤交通警察(内勤警)为研究对象，进行问卷调查和各种症状的体检，并测定了血碳氧血红蛋白饱和度(HbCO%)、肺最大呼气流速(PEF)，抽样测定部分调查对象血铅含量。结果各监测点的CO、NOx的浓度明显超标，Pb尘差异无显著性。外勤警的各种症状出现率、HbCO％显著高于内勤警，PET低于内勤警，血Pb差异无显著性。按是否吸烟分层后，内、外勤警中吸烟者的各症状出现率、HbCO％均高于不吸烟者，PET低于不吸烟者；吸烟内勤警的神经衰弱及心血管系统症状出现率、血铅甚至高于不吸烟的外勤警。结论交通废气污染是引起外勤警症状出现率升高、HbCO％升高、PET下降的一个重要因素，吸烟可使神经衰弱、心血管系统症状出现率、血铅增高更明显。吸烟和交通废气污染联合作用加重了对吸烟外勤警的健康损害。     

Blood lead levels and erythrocyte delta-amino-levulinic acid dehydratase activity of selected population groups in Helsinki.

The levels of lead in the blood of the adult general population in Helsinki were determined during the period May 1972-June 1973. The possibility of occupational exposure to lead was scrupulously excluded.As control groups rural population groups were sampled in the commune of Pertunmaa and the communes of Haapaj?rvi and Pyh?j?rvi. The concentrations of air-suspended particulate lead were studied during 1 year in Helsinki and Pertunmaa; the population groups were sampled from the geographical vicinity of the sampling sites. Care was taken to ensure the accuracy and precision of the analytical methods at experienced laboratories. The annual mean concentration of lead in air in Helsinki ranged from 0.43 to 1.32 mug/m3. The corresponding mean at the rural sampling site (Pertunmaa) was 0.025 mug/m3. From an international standpoint, the Pb-B levels were low. The highest mean Pb-B value in groups of the general population occurred in the rural male group (12.3 mug/100 ml); and the lowest, in the female respondents of the Pertunmaa survey (7.9 mug/100 ml). A group comprising 86 male streetsweepers from Helsinki displayed a Pb-B mean value of 13.3 mug/100 ml, and 28 traffic-directing policemen displayed a mean of 13.5 mug/100 ml, a finding indicating a slight increase in lead absorption. No effect on the Pb-B levels of traffic alone was detectalbe within the general population; thus no statistically significant differences were found between downtown and rural or suburban Pb-B levels. The observation that the Pohjois-Haaga suburbanites disclosed higher Pb-B levels. The observation that the Pohjois-Haaga suburbanites disclosed higher Pb-B levels than did other suburbanites indicates that factors other than traffic should be borne in mind in the assessment of the effect of traffic on lead absorption. The delta-amino-levulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) assay proved useful and reliable in the discrimination between separate groups whose Pb-B levels differed to a small but measurable extent. The negative correlation between Pb-B and ALAD activity was found to prevail at a statistically significant level still at Pb-B levels of 10 mug/100 ml or lower.     

Exposure to Automobile Exhaust

The prevalence of chronic, nonspecific respiratory disease was assessed using a modified version of the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) respiratory disease questionnaire in a population of 268 policemen exposed to a spectrum of levels of automobile exhaust as traffic officers, patrol car officers, and indoor clerical officers. There were 99 men (36.9%) who fulfilled the usual criteria used with the MRC questionnaire for the diagnosis of disease. Data are presented to show that the men represent comparable groups and that smoking, and to a lesser extent traffic exposure, are associated factors in the development of disease.

A summary of the environmental data is presented to indicate the kinds of exposure these men experience. Annual medical assessment and seasonal environmental assessments are planned to permit prospective evaluation of the effects of chronic exposure to automobile exhaust.     

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.