EMA moves for professional help

IN ORDER to deal with the clean-up of the smouldering chemical dump site at Debe, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) intends to hire a private company specialised in the field. The EMA’s Corporate Communications Specialist Kirk Jean-Baptiste yesterday gave Newsday an update on the steps which the environmental company will be taking to handle last Saturday’s fire at the Petro Lab compound at Cuchawan Trace, where chemicals had been stored for the production of thinners and bleach.

Jean-Baptiste said the EMA will seek to hire a private company with safety and testing equipment and personnel to handle the clean-up of the potentially toxic substances in the thousands of steel drums at the chemical dumpsite. Last Saturday, fire blazed for more than six hours at the Petro Lab compound after a bush fire spread to the laboratory and storage facility. Residents of Cuchawan Trace and surrounding villagers were soon forced to seek medical attention for skin irritations, burning eyes, sore throats and breathing difficulties. Residents also complained to their Member of Parliament, Dr Roodal Moonilal, who has since taken up their petition to have the site cleaned of the chemical substances.

Two years ago, Special Branch police officers visited the chemical lab and storage facility and seized specimens of substances as part of an investigation into claims by a group of the capability to produce biological and chemical weapons at the laboratory. However, no charges were laid after the investigation was completed. Yesterday, Jean-Baptiste said that while EMA officials were undertaking the relevant tests to ascertain the quality of the air and the presence of toxins and gases, he advised residents to stay away from the site. He said the area could still be dangerous “because of the various chemicals still on the ground.” While Jean-Baptiste could not say what medical dangers the site posed, he warned residents to “stay as far as possible from there,” and to “stay clothed” when walking near to the area.