The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard Environmental Committee believes that the results of an epidemiological study, conducted in reference to complaints of illnesses allegedly linked to the nearby industrial plants, has been kept a secret or forgotten for nearly 30 years.

The environmental group - which has been calling for the relocation of residents in the five settlements affected by industrial pollution - is now calling on government for an explanation of what happened to the study completed in 1988.

In a statement issued on Monday, the committee stated that the findings were never revealed, even though persons had undergone examinations and testing by an expert epidemiologist in relation to the study.

“A renewed call is being made by the residents whose lives are directly affected by odours and chemicals emanating from these industrial plants. The same plants which were the focus of the epidemiological study,” the committee said.

According to committee members, in 1984 the government appointed a task force to review the complaints of the residents around the industrial plants in Freeport about alleged illnesses they were suffering at the time.

The committee said that the task force had recommended, among other things, that an epidemiological study be conducted involving students, teachers and residents who lived, worked and played around the industrial plants, as well as workers at the industrial facilities as part of the study.

“The study began sometime in 1987 and was completed in 1988. Almost 30 years later residents are still waiting for the results to be released,” said the committee.

“In 1986, as a part of the study, residents were asked to give written permission for their children to spend an entire day at the Rand Memorial Hospital in order to be examined, and to have blood drawn for analysis.”

The committee said that teachers from the nearby schools, residents, and plant workers were also randomly selected for similar examination and blood analysis.

“The study was recommended because students and teachers in schools within the industrial parks were becoming ill on a regular basis, and they claimed it was because of the odours emanating from the industrial plants. Students and teachers at the schools near the plants suffered from constant vomiting and fainting spells almost daily,” the committee claimed.

Believed to be the most extensive epidemiological study ever done in the Bahamas to determine the effects of industrial pollution, the committee said that a Pakistani epidemiologist was brought in to head up the study, assisted by the government’s local epidemiologist, along with other government professionals.

“The study was completed, yet, no results nor findings were released to the public,” the group said.

Members of the committee said that they have been feverishly searching for the study to no avail.

Shuffel Hepburn, a businessman who grew up in the area, alleged: “It is criminal that the government has hidden the results of this report from the residents who have been suffering the ill affects of the pollution around the combined industrial complex for years and years.

“In the 28 years since the completion of the report, it is possible that hundreds have died of cancer and other diseases related to industrial pollution,” he speculated.

Mr Hepburn said that no one is sure of what has happened to the study and its findings.

He said the residents are not giving up and the search for the results of the “missing” report continues, despite the dead ends.

“There are those who have been aggressively trying to locate the results of the study and every door in the government has been shut in their faces,” he said. “The residents have been left in the dark, however, they continue to be optimistic, holding fast to their faith.”

The Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard Environmental Committee will continue with demonstrations calling for relocation of residents.