Dear Ms Thompson,
I was most interested to read your article on exhaust fumes which appeared in the Health section of 'The Gleaner' of Wednesday August 23. I live in an area through which, as early as 4:000 a.m., a procession of diesel trucks laden with marl, cement, sand, building blocks etc., bark their way with scant regard for the dwellers.
The noise apart, these juggernauts leave in their wake acrid choking exhaust fumes laden with particulates, and an endless stream of dust. Since my return to Jamaica, I have written to or called the various bodies whose purpose one is given to understand, is to protect the environment, exhorting them to do something about it. The responses from those who have deigned to reply have been uniformly pathetic, all seemingly resigned to leave well alone.
If ever there was an argument for the speedy return of the railway, this is it; as in addition to the health issues, there is the damage to the roads caused by these (often overloaded) polluters.
I attach an article which appeared in the London Independent earlier this year, and would urge you to continue to keep this issue 'on the front burner'.
- Trevor C. Rhone
Dear Ms Thompson,
Harmful is right! And, oh the good thing is that it is now a ticketable offence to have excessive fumes coming from the motor vehicle's exhaust system. But, oh wait! Nobody is enforcing that law! So we have to sit back and suck up the nasty and harmful pollution which seriously contributes to reducing the years we could live, and live healthily!
The fact is that this country is still Third World, still backward and still has incidents where you are pulled over and ticketed for a cracked back light while the dirty, unlicensed, broken-down car sputters along past you spewing tons of thick, black smoke from it's exhaust. I am so mad! Thanks for writing the article.
Dear Ms Thompson,
I don't drive but thank you for your article on smoke pollution which I really appreciate. As a chronic sinusitis/allergy sufferer, I would like to see an article on the other smoke — the burning of bush on property or street side.
I understand a law was passed about it. I have neighbours who burn garbage/leaves/bush morning, noon and night. Talking to them doesn't help and so I visit the doctor frequently.
- Khrystyne
Dear Ms Thompson,
Your article was very well written and so true. I am so appalled by the level of pollutants being emitted from cars, buses and lorries on a daily basis. I ask myself the same questions weekly. It is sad but it seems as if the authorities do not care.
I lived in the UK for most of my life moved here two years ago and I often say that one-third of the cars driven over here would not be allowed on the roads in developed countries but it appears that everyone turns a blind eye or can be paid not to do anything about it. Surely, the fitness tests (for motor vehicles) should deal with this, but then again money talks.
I commute daily from St. Thomas and I love the views but every few miles I have to close my windows and put on the air conditioner so as not to swallow a mouthful of toxic fumes. Thank the Lord for good (body) cleansers. Jamaica does not seem to be concerned about the environment as people throw rubbish anywhere, there are high emission levels and there is no recylcing. The number of SUV's on the island is causing havoc and the coral reefs are being destroyed. Every third person over here seems to have sinus problems.
- Lois Murray
Dear Ms Thompson,
Good luck in your campaign re vehicular pollution in Jamaica. I came to Jamaica in 1995 and was shocked at the amount of pollution from traffic. Since then we have got rid of most of the old cars — Ladas and so on — but the problem is much worse now due to the huge increase in the number of cars on our roads.
England and Ireland have a simple solution to this problem - the Fitness (MOT) Test - which tests car emissions; if the car fails then without your fitness certificate you essentially cannot drive your car as you will be stopped very quickly by the police and charged.
The problem here, of course, is corruption and the resulting inability to enforce the law. In the meanwhile, of course, people will continue to get sick and place a burden on our health services and the country's productivity due to sick leave.
-Hugh O'Reilly
Dear Ms Thompson,
I just moved back here to Jamaica a little over three months now and what I have experienced in these few months on the highway and generally on the roads always bothers me.
People love to drive their cars which are not serviced and that is why you will see a lot of smoke going around. And also a lot of fires are being started and for what reason?
You said that when you put your car windows down, you can't get fresh air and that is true! But what can you do about that problem when the people won't take care of their cars and stop starting these fires.
- Donnavan Salmon
Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.
