Impact of air pollution on respiratory system among traffic police

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in the traffic police.MethodsBasic information and respiratory symptoms of 132 randomly selected traffic police were obtained with a questionnaire survey.The lung function was measured with pulmonary function test apparatus.The traffic police were divided into an exposure group(79 outworkers)and a control group(53 back office workers and other personnel)and the differences in respiratory symptoms and lung ventilation function were compared between the two groups.ResultsCompared to the control group,the exposure group had significantly higher incidences of cough(64.56% vs.22.64%),sputum(50.63% vs.28.30%),shortness of breath(35.44% vs.16.98%),continuous sneezing(25.32% vs.9.43%),dry nose(48.10% vs.26.42%),and throat discomfort(69.62% vs.32.08%)(all P<0.05).There were significant differences in the percentages of the actual value/predicted value for lung function indicators(vital capacity,forced vital capacity,forced expiratory volume in the first second,peak expiratory flow rate,and forced expiratory flow 25% -75%)between the exposure group and the control group(all P<0.05).The incidences of obstructive and restrictive ventilatory dysfunction in the exposure group were 1.89% and 7.55%,which were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05).ConclusionLong-term exposure to air pollution have adverse effects on the health condition,affects normal lung ventilation function and increases the incidence of respiratory symptoms among traffic police.