By Chantalé Fletcher
THE Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is warning that the current air quality levels recorded at Beetham remained at hazardous levels.
In a release on Thursday, EMA said, “This is due primarily to the smoke and particulate matter associated with the fire at the Beetham landfill.”
Around 1 pm on Thursday, another fire broke out at one of the Wastewater Treatment Ponds at Beetham landfill which caused the previous area to reignite and thick black smoke to be emitted.
The Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) stated: “While landfill site fires are volatile, SWMCOL’s Emergency Response Team lead by CEO Kevin Thompson is onsite, working assiduously to manage the situation.”
Meanwhile, EMA added that at 1 pm, the quality of air around Port of Spain was 342 points and considered dangerous, while San Fernando was moderate with 62 points and Point Lisas with good with 32 points.
The EMA explained the measurement of 342 points meant: “Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.”
In addition, this may affect persons with serious aggravation of respiratory symptoms in sensitive groups such as older adults, children, and people with respiratory ailments and allergies; serious aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with heart or lung disease; serious risk of respiratory effects in the general population.
The EMA advised that all persons in the vicinity exercise extreme caution, particularly the elderly, children, and those with respiratory ailments.
They have also advised all relevant agencies including the Ministry of Health and continue to work with SWMCOL to obtain status updates and will provide further details as the situation unfolds.
