BACKGROUND: Air pollution is associated with a broad spectrum of an environmental health problem, caused by increased urbanization and population, globally. Emission of pollutants was strongly implicated in acute morbidity and mortality associated with severe pollution. Traffic cops are most vulnerable due to the nature of their job, continuously exposed to toxic pollutants. AIM OF STUDY: The study aimed to assess the physical and respiratory morbidities of traffic cops due to the effect of environmental pollutants. METHODOLOGY: Air quality data were collected by the Central Pollution Control Board. Traffic cops were selected from three traffic zones of the city. Anthropometric data were collected by anthropometric instruments. Health assessment was performed via the questionnaire method. Pulmonary function parameters were recorded via digital spirometer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Collected data were analyzed statistically via SPSS (V-16.0). RESULTS: Particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) and PM 10 found to be dominant pollutants in three zones of Kolkata. Air Quality Index values are high in winter. Any type of respiratory symptom is highest in the north, followed by the south and central zones. In the central zone, forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced expiratory flow from 25% to 75% values significantly changed with work exposure. The habit of smoking also showed a significant effect on pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters. The difference of the change in PFT among the three zones was found significant. CONCLUSION: The result of the study indicates that outdoor environmental exposure creates detrimental effects on lung function parameters of traffic cops among the three zones of Kolkata. Use of mask, healthy food intake, performing exercise, and regular medical check are suggested to prevent respiratory damages of police personnel.

The present study uses National Family Health Survey, 2015–2016 (NFHS-4) data to compute a multidimensional disempowerment index for women from India. A state-level analysis shows that disempowerment levels of women from the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar are found to be higher, with that of Bihar being the highest. Next, using a multilevel logistic model, the study explores the determinants of the level of women disempowerment. The probability of disempowerment is high among rural unemployed young Muslim women from joint families with low asset and education endowment and who witnessed parental violence as a child. Further, we found that the level of disempowerment of women from the state of Haryana is much higher as compared to its neighbouring state Punjab, where Haryana was an integral part of Punjab till 1966. A non-linear decomposition analysis reveals a significant contribution of Sikh religion on women’s autonomy in Punjab vis-à-vis Haryana.