Karnataka Launches Statewide Respiratory Health Surveillance for Traffic Police

Karnataka's Home Department has launched a statewide respiratory health surveillance and research programme for traffic police, following two years of screening of 3,287 traffic police personnel in Bengaluru. Vaayu Respiratory Foundation is the technical implementation partner.

Reported by The Hindu, 2 May 2026. Vaayu Chest & Sleep Specialists. .

Karnataka's Home Department has launched a first-of-its-kind statewide respiratory health surveillance and research programme for traffic police, as reported by The Hindu on 2 May 2026.

The programme follows two years of occupational screening in Bengaluru, during which 3,287 traffic police personnel were screened under VORIC (the VAAYU Occupational Respiratory Illness Clinic). Vaayu Respiratory Foundation is the technical implementation partner for the statewide programme.

Why it matters

Traffic police personnel work long hours at congested junctions, directly exposed to vehicular exhaust and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Regular surveillance means respiratory problems can be found early, before damage becomes irreversible, and that the data needed for prevention and policy is collected consistently across the state rather than in one city.

What screening involves

VORIC screening covers general health (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, BMI, random blood sugar) and a respiratory assessment: symptom and exposure evaluation, doctor consultation, spirometry, Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT), Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) where available, and a chest radiograph.

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