The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOUL odours from the industrial park are believed to have made some Pinder’s Point residents ill last week, an environmental group claimed yesterday.

Shuffel Hepburn, of the Pinder’s Point Lewis Yard Environmental Committee (PPLYEC), claims that at least three residents reportedly experienced severe nausea and vomiting as a result of odours believed to be emanating from an industrial plant near the community last Wednesday.

He claims that people in the vicinity were also affected at the harbour as well as patrons at a restaurant on Queen’s Highway.                               

“We were informed by a resident of the area that all the customers at the restaurant were feeling nauseous, and we also received reports that a security officer at the main entrance to the mailboat dock also reportedly took ill,” he added.

Mr Hepburn also said that a family at Seaco Town - one of the affected communities - had to leave the confines of their home last Thursday evening because of the strong odours.

“Berthram Pinder (chairman of PPLYEC) and I drove down there after getting complaints from at least one resident of Seaco Town who had moved his family out overnight because they could not sleep, and the smell was very strong,” he claimed.

PPLYEC held a town meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the concerns of residents and to talk about further plans to raise awareness about the reported health and environment issues confronting residents.

The PPLYEC has held a number of protests to highlight the plight of residents living near the industrial plants. The group is calling for the relocation of residents from Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Seaco Town, Hawksbill and the other surrounding communities.

For many years residents have complained about various health issues, including eye, nose and skin irritations, nausea, and respiratory problems, which they believe are associated with industrial pollution in the area.  They are also concerned about ground pollution as a result of various oil or other chemical spills.

A number of health studies have been conducted in relation to industrial pollution in the area from as far back as the late 1980s.

Last week, Prime Minister Perry Christie said that his government is concerned about industrial pollution but said that health assessment studies conducted by government over the years has indicated that residents were not in harm’s way.

He said relocating residents is not something that government will consider as no recommendations have been made to do it.