Following the issue of an abatement notice on December 1, which required the closure of the dump at Lower Estate, St George, the Ministry of Health is continuing to monitor and give advice in respect of the public health threat.
According to Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, there has been no further dumping at the site of Reduce Quarry since the abatement order was issued. The priority now is to contain the possible environmental health risk as the site continues to smoulder. As a result, he said, the Ministry and the Barbados Fire Service were working with the owner/operator of the quarry Anderson Cherry to ensure the fire threat was contained.
The Ministry continues to advise persons with respiratory illnesses, including asthma, to avoid the area. Residents who may experience symptoms should seek medical attention at the Winston Scott Polyclinic or the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. (BGIS)
