FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Jamaica Environment Trust cites Regulatory failures in dealing with Hurricane Ivan aftermath


Kingston, Jamaica
September 21st, 2004

The Jamaica Environment Trust is concerned about the failure of government regulatory agencies to stop the widespread burning of debris and solid waste in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. The Ministry of Health and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) are mandated to ensure the integrity of public health, through public education and enforcement of relevant legislation. Despite this, unregulated and uncontrolled burning is occurring all over the island. Citizens have bombarded both state agencies with complaints, but action has been slow in coming.

"So far, we have seen a few press releases from the Ministry of Health and NEPA urging citizens not to burn, but this is far short of what is required," said Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Environment Trust, Diana McCaulay. "The regulatory agencies need to regulate. Public health inspectors from the Ministry of Health and enforcement officers from NEPA need to be out in the field issuing warnings to those who are burning. Those warnings need to be followed up by prosecutions if the warnings are not heeded. The situation is particularly bad because of the long-standing failure of the regulatory agencies to prevent open burning over decades."

Burning is harmful to human health and the environment. Depending on what is burned, the quantity, and the temperature at which it is burned, combustion releases a range of toxic substances into the atmosphere, including lead, hydrocarbons, mercury, dioxins, carbon monoxide, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, and particulate matter. "Jamaicans think that burning bush is not harmful, but it causes a range of respiratory ailments, particularly in the young and the old," JET's CEO insisted.

While there is anecdotal evidence of significant increases in respiratory illnesses in Jamaica over the past three decades, JET is unaware of any conclusive studies. JET maintains this is another example of regulatory failure. "We need our regulatory agencies to enforce the laws for which they are responsible and collect proper data to inform effective decision-making. There is far too much talk and too little action," McCaulay stated.

Contact:

Diana McCaulay
Akilah Anderson
Jamaica Environment Trust
11 Waterloo Road
Kingston 10

Phone: (876) 960-3693, 946-0674
Fax : (876) 926-0212
E-mail jamentrust@cwjamaica.com

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