THE National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) are reporting that they are making steady progress in abating the smoke nuisance emanating from the Riverton City Landfill.

In a release this morning the agencies reported that some normality should return within 48 hours.

Smoke from a fire at the dump billowed across sections of the Corporate Area and St Catherine causing serious health problems for some persons and businesses located close to the dump to draw down their shutters.

The government's handling of the environmental and health hazard has been blasted by the Jamaica Environmental Trust, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and opposition spokesman on the environment Horace Chang.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health (MOH) continues to urge affected persons to take the following health precautions:

Avoid or reduce exposure to smoke by closing window and doors and remain indoors as much as possible. This is especially so for those persons who suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions; and elderly and young.

• Cover nose and mouth with a clean wet rag or cloth to minimize effects of the smoke;
• Avoid exposing laundry outdoors since these can become contaminated, stained and foul smelling; and
• Visit the nearest health facility or doctor if they start having
• shortness of breath, wheezing or severe coughing, especially those with respiratory illnesses.

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