by RISéE CHADERTON

IN PILES THEY LIE, abandoned, rusting, stacked on one another like giant metal cocoons.

These unsightly vessels that once transported LPG gas have been discarded at the old Porters Sugar Factory in St James.

Some of the canisters, which were part of a recycling operation, are still there and have been there for over two months, but residents feel they are a danger.

The canisters are off the main highway and not fenced in, but screened from passing motorists by a tall hedge. Residents warn that they are still close enough for the escaping fumes to be hazardous.

In fact, many residents said they were not convinced the bottles were safe or that the recycling of vessels containing remains of such flammable material was at all wise.

"These bottles must be a danger," insisted resident Christian Scheer, who was reluctant to elaborate.

Head of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Jeffrey Headley, disagreed, assuring the MIDWEEK NATION there was "absolutely no chance" of the canisters either being "an active ignition hazard or a danger to the water supply". He also said "the (canisters') volatile organic content was below the explosive limit".

However, the EPD itself has halted the recycling of the gas bottles pending further review.

Headley said a stop notice had been issued to Annan Rampersad, the operator of the recycling project, because the operation was "in contravention of the Heath Services Act, chiefly because of its location, materials, and proximity to the road".

Officials in the Ministry of Health, meanwhile, said there was no regulation or legislation for the recycling of hazardous materials in Barbados. Environmental protection officer Mark Welch, who is said to be responsible for hazardous materials, was "not authorised to comment to the Press", according to his secretary.

Headley, however, noted that the "Barbados Government supports recycling efforts", and promised a follow-up meeting with Rampersad and others in charge of the gas bottle recycling project.