Doctors warn against use of unprotected breathalysers

PETLEE PETER

When someone blows into an unprotected breathalyser, they can possibly contract viral and bacterial infections if an infected person had used it before and particles, saliva remain.Shashidhar Buggi,Director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases

Every breath you take…There are 225 breathalysers currently being used by the traffic police.— File Photo

Most of the machines used by the Bengaluru Traffic Police do not have disposable straws or mouthpieces

otorists, who are asked to use breathalysers, could be susceptible to tuberculosis, herpes and even common viral and bacterial infections as most of the machines administered by the Bengaluru Traffic Police do not have disposable straws or mouthpieces.

There is cause for concern, especially if the last person to blow into the machine has an infection, say doctors. “When a person blows into an unprotected breathalyser, he or she can possibly contract viral and bacterial infections if an infected person had used prior to it and particles and saliva remains embedded in the device. This situation can cause from a common cold or influenza to tuberculosis, herpes or even H1N1,” said Shashidhar Buggi, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD).

There are 225 breathalysers currently being used by the traffic police.

M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Bengaluru City, said that the police have been asked to use disposable straws. “We have advised all our personnel on the ground to place straws while using breathalysers and they are using them. Motorists who are being checked have the right to demand for a disposable straw before he or she blows into the device,” he said.

But the ground reality is different. According to motorists, more often than not, the machines are not cleaned properly.

“It is really pathetic that traffic police can’t use a simple straw for the breathalyser when they check motorists at vantage points. My friends and I have requested for a mouthpiece many times disgusted by the sight of saliva and dirt on the breathalysers. But all we got was irate response by policemen forcing us to blow into the device,” said K. Shivashankar, an IT professional from Banashankari, echoing the displeasure of many motorists coming across checks on Bengaluru roads.

Sources in the traffic police, however, admit that using disposable straws is not a priority citing lack of funds. “We did use straws with bigger mouths for the machine during alcohol checks a few years ago. Now the police teams directly use the device on the motorist to check alcohol levels,” said a traffic police constable attached to the East Division.

Police personnel, too, are at risk. “Apart from the motorists, I believe the policemen don’t realise that they can contract infections by not wearing gloves or facemasks while carrying out alcohol checks on motorists,” Dr. Buggi added.

When someone blows into an unprotected breathalyser, they can possibly contract viral and bacterial infections if an infected person had used it before and particles, saliva remain.

Shashidhar Buggi,

Director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases

My friends and I have requested for a mouthpiece many times disgusted by the sight of saliva and dirt on the breathalysers. But all we got was irate response by policemen

K. Shivashankar,

IT professional from Banashankari

Cases booked in 2015: 62,576

Cases booked in

January, 2016: 4,889

Fine collected: over Rs. 12 crore