EDITORIAL - Strong case for vigilance

More than a week has passed since noxious fumes sent about 10 workers at the Portmore toll plaza in search of medical treatment after they were overcome by the odour. The incident created chaos as traffic at the plaza was shut down and vehicles were diverted all across Kingston and parts of St Catherine.

And even though agencies such as the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), the Ministry of Health and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management are collaborating to investigate the matter, the country is still not clear about what sickened those workers.

Was it some toxic chemical, mixture or poison wafting through the air? And where did it come from? Is it that the odour was travelling on winds and we really have nothing to worry about? Will inhalation have short- or long-term effects on those affected?

Usually, these investigations take time, and if the results are inconclusive, the authorities may not be able to offer the kinds of assurance that members of the public would be seeking. For sure, those who use the Portmore leg of the highway, and the workers at the toll plaza, would like to learn the identity of the substance to which they were exposed and also the measurement of the possible damage. Above all, they would want to understand if this could happen again.

investigations

According to the head of NEPA, Dr Peter Knight, its investigations include looking at ocean-going vessels, as well as vehicular traffic travelling along the toll road, during a specific period. One may argue that this is good because the agency is being very thorough, but it could also mean that the agency has no clue of the possible cause of the leak, which might trigger alarm.

As we ask tough questions, we should also be shaping a national response for such situations. Not all spills and gas leaks are alike; they all have different characteristics, but there should be an established framework for responding to such hazards. The development and implementation of a clear policy governing the movement and storage of hazardous materials should be seen as a priority for disaster management in this country.

While the spotlight is on chemical discharge today, let us not forget the potential harm of traffic fumes. They are known to release carbon monoxide, benzene, lead and other chemicals into the air. Inhaling traffic fumes is dangerous. Toxic fumes can enter the lungs, brain nerve cells, bloodstream, spinal cord and cause both short- and long-term illnesses.

The so-called mystery fumes have come about just a few months after a fire at the Riverton City dump blanketed the Kingston Metropolitan Area with toxic fumes burnt out of control for many days.

Especially as we are in the Atlantic hurricane season, the matter of hazard management should grab the attention of every citizen. Both at home and at work, hazard assessment is critical to determining how to respond in the face of imminent risk. Even when hazards can be predicted, there should be preparation. We must plan for the expected, as well as the unexpected.

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