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THE MANDELA AVENUE DUMPSITE

Aug 16, 2008 Editorial

In most other countries of the world, it would have been impossible for a garbage dump to be located just yards from a residential area.

Yet, in Guyana, for years, we have had a most unhealthy situation, where the Mandela Avenue dumpsite is just across the way from major housing areas of the city.

The Mandela Avenue dumpsite has long been an unstable landfill. Given its close proximity to residential areas, it should never have been activated. It has since outlived its life, and should have been closed a long time ago.

Its continued use beyond its anticipated lifetime has resulted in a number of spontaneous fires, which have further caused great distress and, no doubt, health effects to nearby residents.

It is something of a surprise that none of the residents has filed a lawsuit against the authorities for endangering their lives.

It is equally surprising, in such a litigious society as ours, that no one has approached the courts seeking an injunction against the continued dumping of refuse at the landfill.

This restraint should, however, not be viewed as a licence for the continued extension of the life of the Mandela Avenue dumpsite.

Even more importantly, there is an urgent need for the nearby residents to be assured about the safe disposal of asbestos at the dumpsite.

Just a few weeks ago, this newspaper showed pictures of the dumping of asbestos at the dumpsite, asbestos that was removed from the University of Guyana.

Since asbestos has cancer-causing properties, the public was entitled to assurances about its safe disposal.
Medical science has established that the fibres from asbestos are tiny, and thus exposure to contaminated fibres can lead to them being lodged in the lungs and other organs of the body, with the possibility of them leading to cancers.

Those responsible for the dumpsite ought therefore to issue an advisory indicating just how the asbestos from the University of Guyana has been disposed of, so as to assuage the fears of the residents of the city that there are no health consequences caused by the process of dumping, or even by the recent fires that have flared up and caused so much discomfort to citizens.

We believe that the Government, through the Environmental Protection Agency, should intervene. It should first verify that the asbestos is dumped at the site in a non-hazardous manner.

Secondly, in light of the recent fires at that location, it should conduct an independent assessment to determine whether the asbestos was affected by recent events.

Thirdly, it should conduct an evaluation of the long-term effects of the dumpsite and the fires taking place there on the health of surrounding communities.

Finally, it should examine the environmental impact of the landfill and determine whether it should now be permanently closed.

Some years ago, a new dumpsite was identified, and work commenced on its preparation. As of now, it is not clear when this dumpsite will come into operation.

Whatever the state of that facility, it is nevertheless now evident that the Mandela Avenue dumpsite needs to be retired, if only to assuage the health and environmental concerns of residents.

The health of residents must be the number-one priority. At no time should the health of citizens be placed in danger. With this in mind, the Mandela Avenue dumpsite should be retired immediately.

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