The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government is being accused of withholding from the public an epidemiology report undertaken nearly 30 years ago on the health effects of the industrial plants in Grand Bahama.

The Pinder’s Point Lewis Yard Environmental Committee (PPLYEC) said that keeping the report a “secret” amounts to negligence on the part of the government.

The epidemiology study conducted in the late 1980s was the first of its kind undertaken by the government in response to health complaints by residents, as well as students and teachers who attended schools near the plants.

In the report obtained by The Tribune, eye, skin, and gastro-intestinal disorders were found to be associated with industrial pollution by companies in the Freeport Industrial Park.

The emissions from the plants have been an ongoing issue for many years by residents in the Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Hawksbill, Seaco Town, Hunters and Mack Town communities.

Complaints were of eye, skin, and nose irritations, respiratory problems, and vomiting.

PPLYEC member Shuffel Hepburn, who grew up and lived in Pinder’s Point, was pleased that the report has surfaced because it proved what they and residents had been saying for many years.

“With the report, we are able to prove that there are health risks, and that the risks have been there from the outset,” he said.

“It was very negligent on the part of the government to hide the results of the study in which 500 persons participated, some of whom are no longer with us today.

“We feel strongly that many of the deaths and illnesses… could have been prevented if government had been forthcoming with the report to the residents.”

The study was conducted, with the support of former Health Minister Dr Norman Gay. The study’s chief investigator was epidemiology expert Dr Farhat Mahmood.

Mr Hepburn said: “Dr Darville (minister for Grand Bahama) tabled the PAHO/WHO study of health and environment risk assessment of Pinder’s Point and surrounding communities in the House of Assembly, and he was quite pleased to say there was no health risk to residents living near the industrial plant.”

“The (1980s) epidemiology report says otherwise, and we are very pleased that the report has now surfaced; we were trying to find that study for quite a while,” he said.

Mr Hepburn stressed that the PPLYEC will continue to press for the relocation of residents in the affected communities.

The group had held demonstrations at the government complex, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and the Industrial Park on February 14, 21, and 28, respectively.

“We are determined to continue to go out and raise awareness to this issue,” he said, noting that demonstrations are spiritual, involving prayer and singing songs.

The PPLYEC plans to hold a town meeting on March 14 at Upper Zion Baptist at 7pm. Mr Hepburn said there will be a video presentation of testimonials by residents.

Dr Darville continues to stand by the report recently prepared by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) World Health Organisation (WHO).

“I stand by those reports until someone else can bring scientific evidence to refute (it),” Dr Darville had previously said.