Bengaluru’s BMTC drivers, traffic police, pourakarmikas, construction workers show reduced lung function: Survey

Pourakarmika workers sweeping the streets on Mysuru Road near Sirsi Circle, in Bengaluru.

A three-year long study in Bengaluru of over 10,000 frontline workers has brought to light reduced lung function among BMTC bus drivers, traffic police, pourakarmikas and construction workers — sections most exposed to polluted air.

The study, done by the VAAYU Occupational & Environmental Respiratory Illness Clinic (VOERIC), screened 4,517 BMTC drivers, 3,285 traffic police personnel, 2,169 construction workers and 379 pourakarmikas.

A traffic policeman wears a mask at a traffic signal in Bengaluru.

All the groups that were screened showed higher-than-normal prevalence of early lung-function abnormalities.

Among the occupations, pourakarmikas were found to have the highest proportion of workers with the PRISm pattern, an indication of reduced lung capacity. Around 45% of them showed indications of reduced lung function.

BMTC workers and traffic police followed, with 29.5% and 28%, respectively, showing reduced lung function. Among construction workers, 15% showed a PRISm pattern.

Around 2.6% of BMTC drivers, 2.3% pourakarmikas, 2.1% construction workers, and 1% traffic police personnel reported signs of obstructive airflow.

The survey also found that 88.2% of the BMTC drivers never used a mask, as was the case with 55% traffic police, 37.9% construction workers, and 16.3% pourakarmikas.

Workers breaking stones during pipeline work at Race Course in Bengaluru.

The subjects were also analysed for comorbidities, and the results revealed a grim situation, with high levels of obesity reported among the sections.

Pourakarmikas had the highest proportion at 62%, closely followed by BMTC drivers, 60.7% of whom were found to be obese/overweight. For traffic police, the figure stood at 51.3%.

The figures are much higher than the India reference figure of 28.6%.

The study also flags that diabetes prevalence among BMTC drivers was 18.2%, higher than the Indian average of 11.4%. Among traffic police personnel, the prevalence was 14%.

The physically active nature of the work and the relatively young demography among the construction workers translated to lower prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases. The average age of construction workers was found to be 31.3± 10, 98.3% of whom worked for more than 8 hours daily.

A queue of BMTC buses stuck in traffic congestion at Marathahalli main road in Bengaluru.

The concerns with higher incidences of diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, overweight and obesity across occupational groups has reinforced the need for a comprehensive approach to worker health including cardiometabolic screening

“While the findings demonstrate a significant burden of health abnormalities, further longitudinal research is required to establish the extent to which occupational exposures contribute to specific respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes. VOERIC plans to start this as cohort along with government support,” a statement from VOERIC said.

“Air pollution is considered the new tobacco. It is an emerging risk-enhancing factor for heart attack and brain stroke,” said C.N. Manjunath, leading cardiologist and Bengaluru Rural MP, at a round table where the results from the study were published.

Speaking about the importance of reducing traffic congestion, scientific garbage disposal and adoption of necessary measures during road construction to reduce dust, in tackling air pollution, he acknowledged the importance of policy intervention backed by data.