The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Driving along Gladstone Road yesterday afternoon, there was a thick plume of toxic smoke blowing from the dump across the road towards the west. This was so thick it came in through my car’s air conditioning system.

Later in the day, the wind had shifted a bit and the smoke was blowing over John F Kennedy Drive and Cable Beach. Lake Cunningham was covered in a haze of white toxic smoke accentuating the red sunset. It was so thick it looked like fog over the lake.

West Bay Street from Baha Mar going west was covered in smoke for miles. You could look down the road and see the white smoke settling above the road between the trees.

The smoke smells like burning plastic and other toxic materials. It gets in your lungs and sinuses and doesn’t go away for days.

Several people today were discussing this and were shocked that public health officials seemed to be saying that the public shouldn’t worry about the smoke.

This cannot possibly be true. The smoke is affecting people’s breathing and may even be carcinogenic.

Last week, houses along Cable Beach, Delaporte and the Sandyport area were covered with the smoke.

The other night we woke up to a house filled with toxic smoke. Closing the windows and turning on the air conditioning system simply recirculated the smoke in the house. The smoke has gone into everything – the bed linen, curtains, carpets, clothes, etc.

People cannot get away from this toxic smoke. It’s been going on for years and the government seems unable to deal with the situation, despite the obvious affects on people’s health and quality of life.

For the past week, residents and tourists alike who go for exercise at Goodman’s Bay, or around the Hobby Horse lake and the beach for a healthy walk are breathing the smoke from the dump.

When the wind shifts it blows towards Lyford Cay, or covers Harrold Road, Oakes Field and the athletic facilities. At other times, it can be seen blowing out to sea over Cable Beach towards arriving cruise ships.

Last week the sunrise was obstructed by the smoke over Goodman’s Bay.

Balmoral island, Silver Cay and the other outlying islands were at times barely visible through the smoke.

People can’t get away from the toxic grey white haze. There is no doubt it is a health hazard and the government must make it a priority to permanently fix the problems at the dump.

VERY CONCERNED

Nassau,

March 17, 2014