Dear Editor,

The recent statement from the Ministry of Health stating that Jamaicans should not experience any long-term effects from the fire at the Riverton disposal site is both alarming and troubling. Over the weekend the same government ministry told the nation that samples were taken of the air quality at two locations and that these were sent off to be tested. We were further informed that the results would be available on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. We are yet to hear such results. It bears thought as to how such a statement could be forthcoming at this time, since the result of the air quality would be pending. The statement from the Health Ministry is at best premature and irresponsible. In fact, further explanation is required.

Disturbingly, in 2012 the cancer-causing chemical Benzene was detected at three times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air standard as a result of a fire at the said disposal facility. According to the American Cancer Society, benzene is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet odour. It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. It is used mainly as a starting material in making other chemicals, including plastics, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. The link between benzene and cancer has largely focused on leukaemia and cancers of other blood cells.

Rates of leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukaemia, have been found to be higher in studies of workers exposed to high levels of benzene, such as those in the chemical, shoe making, and oil refining industries.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the WHO. Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer. IARC classifies benzene as “carcinogenic to humans”, and also notes that benzene exposure has been linked with acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is formed from parts of several different US government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration. The NTP has classified benzene as “known to be a human carcinogen”.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the Integrated Risk Information System, an electronic database that contains information on human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment. The EPA classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen.

It would be quite interesting to find out if the Ministry of Health conducted a study to see how many Jamaicans exposed to the smoke and noxious fumes in 2012 got cancer, and the particular type.

Additionally, we need to know whether the Ministry of Health has any plans to monitors those 800-plus Jamaicans who had to seek medical attention due to their exposure to this most recent fire at Riverton City. Even without such a study being done, I think the Ministry of Health owes us some clarification on the matter. We also need to hear from the Ministry of Environment regarding the environmental impact of the fire at Riverton.

I’m sure if the disposal site was located in an upper middle-class community, then we would not be having this discussion, since a suitable alternative would have been found.

Recall what former US President John F Kennedy said: “Our most common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com

@WayneCamo