EMPLOYEES, parents, children and babies are among those being affected by the “toxic” environment present at the Public Health and Vector Control Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), at Orange Walk and South Road.The problem has been caused by chemicals stored in a room at the back of the office and for quite some time now, there have been many calls for the issue to be looked at since it poses a serious health risk to persons sharing the same environment.

Councillor Khame Sharma was tasked with carrying out an investigation, which resulted in a site visit and a preliminary report that was submitted to the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB).

During the investigation, a small, cluttered room was discovered with the chemicals, including two 45-gallon drums, one containing Jeyes fluid and the other, formalin. One 5-gallon container was also found with malathion, which was expected to be used for the fogging exercises.

Furthermore, containers with dieseline were observed scattered in a corner of the room, together with dozens of spray cans on the floor. There were also several containers with cleaning agents like liquid soap, Lysol, pinesol, bayclin, and toilet clean.

“The room where the chemicals were stored was poorly ventilated; the smell of chemicals was evident all around. The concrete floor seemed to have absorbed leakages from spillages over the years,” Councillor Sharma explained following his visit.

He added: “Although officers working in the same department were relocated from the general office to adjacent rooms as a temporary measure, they were still part of the toxic environment. The scent was said to have penetrated the ceiling to the top flat where the clinic is operated and where the Albouystown medical clinic is temporarily housed. Employees, parents, children and babies are thus affected as well.”

Councillor Sharma is advising that all leaking cans be replaced and the chemicals be removed from the office area and for the issue to be dealt with expeditiously this time, in view of the allegation that the matter was highlighted to the council on several occasions with no tangible results.

“This matter must be treated with the urgency it deserves since workers’ health and lives are endangered in the toxic environment that currently exists.

“It is suggested that a follow-up investigation of the store located at the Princes Street location be done since the procurement for the Vector Control Unit is obtained from this location. The results may prove to be just as revealing,” urged Sharma.

Other Councillor, Oscar Clarke, lauded the work of Councillor Sharma and urged other councillors to assist the administration in ensuring that effective implementation of decisions is achieved.

“I have to thank Councillor Sharma for his diligence in carrying out his investigation. I hope that his report will ensure that we can proceed with speed to correct the problems that have been associated with chemical storage,” said Clarke at the statutory meeting on Tuesday.

He suggested that a more secure environment for the storage of the chemicals be found and for the matter to be dealt with judiciously. “If we all take the interest and do what Councilor Sharma did, it is going to be helpful to the council as a whole.”

Last September, Sharma was sworn in as a new People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor. His academic background includes biology and pharmacy.