The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Policemen can now breathe easy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Policemen can now breathe easy

By Our Staff Reporter

A traffic constable inhales oxygen from a dispenser installed at the Vepery traffic junction. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI, JAN. 6. Concerned over the increasing health hazards faced by traffic police personnel, the city police today introduced oxygen dispensers at 24 traffic junctions.

The traffic policemen can inhale oxygen from them whenever they feel tired. The City Police Commissioner, R. Nataraj, handed over the dispensers and facemasks to policemen.

It is for the first time that the traffic police have been provided with a facility to reduce their health hazard.

The police will also explore the possibility of using the dispensers to benefit the public and accident victims, he said.

Maintenance-free

K.C. Mahali, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, said the kit, imported from the United States, would absorb moisture from the air to produce 95 per cent pure oxygen.

Moreover, it was maintenance-free.

Water could be filled in a pouch inside to provide a cooling effect during inhalation, he said.

N.S.C. Bose Road, S.N. Chetty Street and Kuppam Road junction, Stanley Round About, IDH, Central Light Point, EB Point, Dr. Ambedkar College Road, Vyasarpadi Police Station, Ega theatre point, Anna Arch, Koyambedu Round About, Wheels India Junction, Triplicane Police Station, Spencers, Pantheon Round About, Sterling Road, Vadapalani Junction, Little Mount Booth, Pothys Junction, Eldams Road Junction, Adyar Signal, Adyar Police Station, Gandhi Statue booth and Luz junction are the 24 places where the dispensers have been installed.

Long-lasting filters

The facemasks too have also been imported from the U.S. and 1,500 such masks would be distributed in the next few days.

Authorities said the mask's filter would last longer compared to other types available here.

The filters could be used for about four months, depending on the pollution levels.

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