Traffic cops are aware of the problem, all the more so since the government has provided some with paltry breathing protection.

 “I know that air pollution can reduce IQ levels and cause emotional problems, but wearing a mask is sometimes ineffective because we often take them off to blow our whistles,” said traffic policeman Second Brig. Ahmad Karyadi, who spends at least five hours a day on Central Jakarta’s congested streets.

“I bought the mask [for Rp 10,000 (US$1.10)], as well as the helmet [Rp 150,000] on my own,” said Ahmad, who has been working as a traffic officer for two and a half years.

“I’ve never been given a mask or a helmet by my office,” he added.

Fortunately, Ahmad said, he has not yet fallen ill with respiratory infections. To maintain his health, he exercises once a week and regularly drinks milk.

“My office provides us with a health check-up every six months, but we have never had our lungs checked,” he said.

First Adj. Insp. Bambang Purwanto, another traffic officer at Pulogadung, East Jakarta, said he and his partner stand on duty between three and six hours per day.

“I realize we work on the street and always breathe in exhaust fumes. But that’s the risk of my job,” he said.

Bambang usually wears a mask, which he paid for himself, to protect himself from the polluted air.

“I once received a mask from my office, but it wasn’t comfortable to wear,” said Bambang, who has been stationed in the area for four years.

“Fortunately, I’ve never suffered respiratory problems,” he said.  

According to Bambang, he plays badminton twice a week to stay healthy.

“So far, being active in sports has been effective in maintaining my health,” he said.  

Chairman of the department of environmental health at the University of Indonesia’s School of Public Health, Budi Haryanto, conducted research among traffic officers in Jakarta in 2005. He found they breathed in three to six times more particles than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard, which is 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3).

The level of carbon dioxide intake is also high, at two and four times higher than the WHO standard (9 ppm), he added.

“Nowadays, the number of motorized vehicles is far more than that in 2005, and with transportation management, which has not changed significantly, I’m sure pollution levels exposed to police officers are now higher,” he said.

According to Budi, the best way to reduce the risk is to avoid pollution and reduce exposure to it.

“Shifts can be arranged more often, from six hours to two or three hours. After that, officers should be moved to other places with lower pollution levels,” he said. (lnd)

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