Kinoya sewage treatment plant
IT was pleasing to hear from the minister concerned this week that the workers at the Kinoya sewage treatment plant are compliant within our health and safety laws and have adequate protection.
However, it cannot be said for the residents there who are daily exposed to the biological hazards for years and without any solutions or controls in place to eliminate such pollutions created.
I believe there is no mechanism in place to protect the heavily populous surrounding areas of Kinoya and Nadera from the foul odour emitted on a continuous basis.
The stink lingers in and around treatment plants and smell like rotten eggs because of its low solubility in wastewater and it is released into the atmosphere, producing an offensive odour.
The airborne pathogenic pollutant easily travels about 2km in radius depending on the wind direction.
This negatively impacts the air quality and such pollution is also known as “transport environment” because microorganisms may be present and often can be transported over considerable distances.
I believe there were no studies carried out to determine the health of the people affected nor any assessment reports released to gauge the environment status as huge amount of water are discharged into the sea after the sewerage process.
This study may have to be done over a length of time with the same sample size as signs and symptoms of any ill effect will develop and be noticed over time. Based on the similar problems there have been many studies conducted abroad of inhabitants living close to a municipal wastewater treatment plants and the results obtained were very similar in nature.
Significant risk for symptoms such as headache, unusual tiredness, and concentration difficulties was recorded and an increased possibility for respiratory and skin diseases was reported. Occupational safety and health is a disciplinary area concerned with protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of people engaged in any mode of employment. The goal of all occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe work environment.
As a secondary effect, it may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, suppliers, nearby communities, and other members of the public who are impacted by the workplace environment. There is an immediate need to consider the environment and the community at large and not only confining within the perimeter of a workplace.
The ability to be safe within the boundaries of a workplace by using various personal protection equipment is only a part of process and the safety, health and the wellbeing of the other stakeholders are equally important. The four exhaust new plants in the same area belonging to EFL adds on as another serious chemical hazard.
Please spare a thought for the vulnerable who are suffering in silence and maybe adding to the medical bills of the nation. SATISH NAKCHED
Suva