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Bengaluru Workers' Health Deteriorates Due to Workplace Hazards
26 Oct
Summary
- Over 10,000 Bengaluru frontline workers screened for health issues.
- Significant respiratory and cardiometabolic risks found among workers.
- Experts urge integrated public health interventions and stronger systems.
An occupational health screening encompassing over 10,000 frontline workers in Bengaluru has uncovered a substantial prevalence of respiratory issues and cardiometabolic risks. The three-year study, conducted by VEROIC, focused on individuals exposed to workplace hazards like traffic emissions and construction dust.
Findings indicate reduced lung function, with pourakarmikas showing the highest rates at 45%. Cardiometabolic concerns were also widespread, including obesity affecting over 60% of BMTC employees and pourakarmikas, significant blood sugar elevations, and uncontrolled hypertension in many participants across different worker groups.
Experts convened to discuss these alarming results, emphasizing the need for a transition from awareness campaigns to concrete public health interventions. They called for strengthened occupational healthcare, better inter-departmental coordination, and the translation of existing laws into actionable policies to protect these essential workers.
