The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

COMMUNITY action group Justice for Marathon has condemned government’s efforts to address health concerns of residents potentially affected by the 2012 Rubis gas leak as “sketchy” and reactionary.

Residents that participated in public health screenings at the Elizabeth Estates clinic last month are advised that the results of tests conducted will be available at the facility on Saturday; however the group said it was still unclear whether testing for residents will resume after it was cancelled last week.

Despite the government’s advisory that no residents should use private well water, the group renewed its claim that 70 per cent of area residents are still reliant on well water more than two years on since 24,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline leaked from the service station at Robinson and Old Trail Roads.

One hundred residential and commercial buildings were surveyed in the Highbury Park, Regency Park, Palmetto Village, and Marathon Estates area, according to a statement released earlier this week.

“Many residents have resorted to purchasing bottled water for the bare necessities,” it read.

“Many residents in Marathon do not have city water because of an inability to retrieve adequate water supply, pay for city water supply and being concerned about the discolouration and odour of the city water.

“These concerns, along with the call for proper testing, were made known to the Water & Sewerage Corporation and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis. Justice for Marathon awaits immediate action to ensure that all Marathon residents have access to safe bathing, drinking, cooking and cleaning water.”

The group questioned how the Ministry of Environment was ablfat the time of the February 2014 report on the spill.

The statement also renewed concerns that the tests being administered are not enough to determine exposure to cancer causing agents.

The statement read: “Why are the health screenings only focusing on liver and kidney function? If phenol doesn’t remain in the blood and urine for an extended period of time, why is it that only benzene metabolite is being tested?

“Did the delay in releasing the Black & Veatch report substantially compromise the opportunity for early testing for exposure to hydro carbons before the body converts them and they are stored into the fatty tissue?”

The statement added: “In light of what could be best described as a demonstrated depressed level of interest in the health of identified and potentially impacted residents and businesses of Marathon, Justice for Marathon remains vigilantly concerned about what appears to be a sketchy approach to such a serious set of circumstances.”

A Black and Veatch International report found that Marathon residents were possibly exposed to harmful chemicals, including cancer-causing benzene.

The report was completed on February 20, 2014, but it was only made public by the government this year after residents demanded it be released.

During his budget contribution last night, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett acknowledged the anxiety and distress suffered by residents because of contamination fears.

In defence of criticisms over his government’s decision to withhold the findings of the Black and Veatch Report for more than a year, he claimed that the root of anger from residents stemmed from the previous Free National Movement administration’s failure to address an earlier spill in the area.