Discussing face masks for traffic cops

As heavy haze continues in north and central China, a discussion has begun regarding whether traffic police should wear air-filter face masks.

Cold weather, hazy air, but it's still their duty to stand by the roads for a whole day.

Traffic police are among those most affected by the heavy smog in China. Following a post on Weibo, discussions have been triggered about whether they should be allowed to wear filter masks in smoggy weather. Most people say yes.

A Tianjin resident said:"This kind of weather harms everybody. Since traffic police have to stand on the road for their work, they should wear masks."

A Tianjin resident said:"As long as the mask does not affect their work, I suggest they wear one."

However, the issue may not as clear-cut as people think. Traffic police have their own considerations.

Wang Biao, Yingkoudao Traffic Brigade, Tianjin, said:"According to the regulations, traffic police should not wear anything on their faces. A mask may affect our professional image and cause inconveniences in our work. We need to communicate with traffic rule-breakers face-to-face."

But when asked about his cough, Wang Biao said he had been diagnosed with pneumonia not long ago.

Wang Biao said:"The doctor said possible reasons are the poor air quality, cold weather and my working outdoors."

Medical experts have warned people, especially those who have to work outside, to take precautions while the smog lingers.

They point out that traffic police are even more vulnerable, because their workplaces are filled with road dust and other hazardous particles.

Jiang Ping, respiratory physician of Tianjin No. 1 Central Hospital, said:"If they work in such air conditions for a long time, the harmful chemicals will damage their respiratory tracts, and some damage can be irreversible ."

So exceptional times demand exceptional measures. As of Wednesday morning, traffic police in Ji-nan, the capital of heavily-hit Shandong province, have been quipped with air-filter masks. But aside from face masks for traffic police, the more urgent need for China is to clean up its air and environment.