MAPUA

POLLUTION

EFFECTS OF COMTAMINATION and the

DECOMTAMINATION PROCESS

OUTLINE

History of the problem

Risk assessment, management, communication

Vulnerable group

Jamaican Agency

Environmental laws in Jamaica

HISTORY

Mapua, New Zealand home to worst contamination site.

The source of the contamination, Fruit-growers Chemical Company (FCC) was founded in 1931

FCC made various chemicals such as DDT, DDD

Spills and waste led to high concentration of pesticides

Residents suffered from various illness respiratory, cancer, anxiety, stress from both contamination and

decontamination process

RISK ASSESSMENT

THE PROBLEM

CONTAMINATION PROCESS-

Contamination of soil, marine sediments, and ground water by

organocholrine pesticides (OCPs)

OCPs Exposure Pathways;

Dermal contact and ingestion soil

Ingestion of food grown in soil

Inhalation- dust and vapours

Ingestion of contaminated fish/shellfish

THE PROBLEM

DECONTAMINATIONPROCESS-

Residents exposed to heavy metals such as ammonia, odour and noise

and vibrations

Exposure Pathways;

Air emissions of chemicals & dust inhalation

Ingestion of contaminated groundwater & marine sediments

Mental stress from high levels of noise & vibrations

RISK MANAGEMENT

CONTAMINATION PROCESS

Site investigated and decontamination process

decided upon

2001 Environmental Decontamination Limited

(EDL) took over by the

Ministry of Health 2004

DECONTAMINATION

PROCESS

Monitoring and controlling

Air Emission

Ground water

Storm water

Dust

Odour, vibration, noise

RISK COMMUNICATION

Assessment of Public Health Risk from the Remediation of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site, Mapua,

Nelson (March, 2010)

Investigation into Public Health risk of clean up Published on the Ministrys website

Recommendations

Peer Review Panels Offsite Remediation Statutory Review

VUNERABLE GROUP

Residents in Mapua were affected by the contamination and decontamination of the site

Illnesses attributed to contamination cancer

Decontaminated process exposed residents to various toxins

VUNERABLE GROUP

Residents reported - excessive noise, dust, odour, pollution of the ground water

During process residents complained of respiratory illnesses, stress & anxiety

Compensation - Government offered free health checks, admitted residents health compromised

JAMAICAN AGENCY

National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) responsibilities include;

1. Monitoring resource assets and the environment

2. Management and protection of the countrys biodiversity (microorganisms, plants, animals and their habitat)

3. Processing and approving permits for the export and transit of hazardous waste

4. Preparing town and parish development plans

5. National environment planning and development strategies

JAMAICAS ENVIRONMENTAL

LAWS

The Clean Air Act, 1964

The Land Development & Utilisation Act, 1966

The Public Health Act, 1985

The Pesticides Act , 1987

The National Solid Waste Management Act, 2001