Air quality samples sent overseas

THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH has sought outside help in conducting additional testing of the air quality in St Thomas following the fire at B’s Bottle Depot and Metal Dump two weeks ago.
Head of the Department of Emergency Management, Judy Thomas, told a meeting of concerned residents at The Lester Vaughan School on Wednesday night that additional samples were taken and sent overseas by the University of the West Indies for analysis.
Thomas said her department paid the university $17 000 to have the three overseas tests done. She said the results of one tests came back on Wednesday but she was unable to indicate what it revealed. Thomas also said she could not say what exactly the air quality samples were being tested for.
Some residents recounted horror stories of their experiences as a result of the fire and are planning protest action for next week in order to have the plant removed from the district. They are also seeking advice on a lawsuit.
They were joined by parliamentary representative for St Thomas Cynthia Forde, who also expressed her disapproval of the parish being used for dumping.
 “St Thomas is not a dumping ground. It cannot be a dumping ground anymore,” said Forde. (AGB)