The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AN AMERICAN environmental researcher who observed the recent “Breathe Better Bahamas” demonstration by environmental advocacy group Raising Awareness Bahamas Landfill (RABL) has issued an open letter to the Prime Minister threatening to boycott travel to the Bahamas until air quality issues are remedied.

Environmental toxicology and field physiology researcher, John Barimo, from St Petersburg College, Florida, said he is “deeply saddened” by the attention the Bahamas government has given to “the health and wellbeing of constituents” amidst persistent issues at the New Providence landfill site.

The former US Virgin Islands resident indicated that the policy of open-pit incineration of solid waste at the landfill can lead to serious respiratory health issues for those facing “chronic exposure”.

He added that most developed countries have already banned the practice due to its consequences.

Mr Barimo admitted that he was “far from” an expert on details of the New Providence landfill and whether the fires reported there were deliberate or not, but insisted that critical questions needed to be asked to ensure that those “living downwind” were being protected from environmental hazards.

“There appears to be a lack of response from the government which is where I take issue,” he said. “It appears the government may not be well informed or is just taking the easy road on this issue.

“It’s the disfranchised that most often live (nearby) such waste sites who, all too often, lack the resources to defend themselves. In a case such as this, the potential human exposures and overall environmental degradation are great. 

“Your natural resources are your most important source of financial capital in the tourist-based economy of the Bahamas. This is something your nation’s young people clearly understand.

“I was really encouraged by the young people I met. They really appeared to love their island and want to care for it and they were knowledgeable of the issues which greatly aid in their struggle. They gave me hope.”

In his letter, Mr Barimo recommended that the government should implement a new policy that would mandate that cruise lines and hoteliers in the Bahamas not only reduce and recycle their solid waste, but to facilitate or sponsor the transportation of recyclables to processing stations.

He added that cruise ships and resorts, through their visitors, generate a large percentage of the solid waste accumulated in the capital. He claimed that these “investors” reap most of the profits generated from visitors with very little trickling down to the citizens of the Bahamas.

He said profiteers, cruise ships and hoteliers should be a driving force behind the solution to the waste management issues of New Providence “voluntary or not”.

According to Mr Barimo, this policy change should focus on plastics, which he regarded as the “worst offenders” when it comes to creating harmful chemicals such as furans and dioxins during open-pit incineration.

“Although we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in Nassau, we will boycott travel to The Bahamas in solidarity with your citizens until this air quality issue is remedied,” Mr Barimo said.

“Further, we will share this information with colleagues, extended family and friends.”Last month the “Breathe Better Bahamas” demonstration in downtown Nassau brought together an estimated 500 persons to demand that a resolution be brought to the “persistent fires and constant emissions” at the plagued Harrold Road landfill site.

RABL spokesperson Heather Carey said that the “massive turnout” at the event illustrated that residents are now, more than ever, concerned about their wellbeing and quality of life.

Fires at the city dump have been a contentious issue for years prompting residents living near the landfill to increase calls for government intervention in the matter.

In February, Renew Bahamas, the company contracted by government to manage the landfill, formally announced plans to build and manage the nation’s first materials recycling facility at the Harrold Road site.

Executives of Renew Bahamas have suggested that recycling waste material could reduce the landfill’s “environmental footprint” and occurrence of fires.

According to the Renew Bahamas CEO and president, Gerhard Beukes, the company on average spends $10,000 a day to fight blazes at the site.

Since January 1, Renew Bahamas has reported four fires at the New Providence landfill, two of which ran concurrently for more than five days.