Abstract:
Environment is polluted by vehicular exhaust due to increased number of
automobiles working on petrol and diesel fuels. Air quality crisis in cities, is mainly due to
vehicular emissions. This study was carried out to assess the effects of vehicular exhaust in lung
functions of traffic policemen working at Batticaloa town. The study settings of this investigation
were Chest clinic, Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa and Police station, Batticaloa.
Data were collected by the investigators through the Pre Designed Structured Self-Administered
Questionnaire and the measurements of Spirometer which is testing pulmonary function.
Statistical analysis was performed by statistical software (SPSS 16.0) and the p-value < 0.05
was considered significant for all analyses. The occurrence of shortness of breath was high
among traffic policemen and occurrence of cough had higher value among controls. The values
of Odds ratio for shortness of breath and frequent coughing were 1.80 & 0.64 respectively,
however occurrence of shortness of breath was high and significantly differ from control group.
Parameters of lung functions declined in the group of traffic policemen compared to the control;
however FEV1 of the traffic policemen significantly (p=0.038) reduced compared to the control
group. All parameters were declined in the group of traffic policemen who had exposure more
than 5 years compared to the police men with less than 5 years exposure, however FEV1
significantly (0.041) reduced in the policemen had the more than 5 years exposure. Respiratory
illness of traffic police men has been become considerable problem in Batticaloa town and initial
state of impairment of lung’s functions of traffic policemen has been observed. It is
recommended to seek the necessary solutions for the arising problems in traffic policemen in
Batticaloa.
