By Sue-Ann Wayow
TO raise awareness on the reduction of air pollution, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) hosted three sensitisation seminars on the Air Pollution Rules (APR) 2014.
The sessions focused on three designated activities of the APR, namely welding and fabricating, wood working and furniture making and automotive repair garages, the EMA stated in a release on Monday.
“The objective of these sessions was to encourage compliance with the APR by building awareness on the requirements for those sectors,” the release stated.
Representatives of the EMA’s Air Unit, including Technical Officers II with Vintee Kallideen-Ramdath, Dinah Maharaj and Krystal Jack, leading the sessions.
Key stakeholders from the related industries were identified based on issued Certificates of Environmental Clearance and referrals from the Emergency Response and Investigations Unit, the release stated.
Thirty people representing 17 facilities attended the three sessions.
The EMA stated that each interactive session comprised an introduction of the APR 2014, a discussion of the Source Emitter Registration Process, an overview of the health and environmental impacts of air pollutants and best management practices for each designated activity.
Stakeholders were also informed of other relevant legislation, including the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) Rules, 2001 and external approvals that may be applicable including Town and Country Planning approval.
“These sessions act as a stepping stone to creating a cleaner atmosphere in Trinidad and Tobago, supporting the overarching goal of the reduction of air pollution globally,” EMA stated.
The EMA said that it continues its efforts to monitor the level of air pollution utilising the Air Quality Index which is a number used by government agencies to communicate to the public the daily level of air pollution and how polluted it is forecast to become.
The EMA also said that it will continue to work hand in hand with key stakeholders to ensure that the quality of air remains clean and consistent.
The Authority encouraged persons to utilise the Air Quality Index to plan daily activities, which is particularly important to those with respiratory ailments.
The Air Quality Index can be monitored daily via https://ei.weblakes.com/
