Testing equipment installed at sulphur emission site

THE ENVIRONMENTAL Management Authority inspectors yesterday returned to the rural community of Chatham and installed a gas meter to measure the level of sulphur fumes circulating in the village.

EMA corporate communications manager Neil Parsanlal said the Authority’s inspectors also conducted toxicological tests on both run-off and residents’ drinking water, within a three-mile radius of the sulphur gas emissions. Parsanlal said the gas-testing meter would be rotated throughout the village of 140 residents, with testing being done during the day and night. “There will be random sampling of the air quality at participating residents’ homes for a more accurate picture of the levels of gases affecting residents,” Parsanlal said. “According to what the residents have been saying, they may be affected by more than just sulphur emissions, so the Ministry of Health would have to get involved in investigations,” he added.

Parsanlal said the testing equipment would sample, on average, between six to seven houses per day for the rest of the week. He also confirmed that the Ministry of Energy had been approached to conduct a seismic survey of the area to determine the size and depth of the smoldering lignite, which is believed to be the cause of the sulphuric emissions. Almost five months ago, residents began smelling fumes emanating from a fissure and after preliminary investigations by the EMA, a naturally-occurring mineral known as lignite was identified as the source. However, despite assurances that the lignite would burn itself out, the fumes have not only persisted but grew in intensity, even prompting a visit to the area by Point Fortin MP Larry Achong, who promised to assist residents. Achong is expected to meet with residents on Thursday afternoon.