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Gov't reacts to latest NEPA air quality report

Published:Wednesday | September 12, 2018 | 12:00 AM

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for the environment Daryl Vaz has said that issues relating to air quality in and around the Riverton City dump will soon be addressed.

Vaz has indicated that a Cabinet submission outlining solutions to this and other problems relating to the dump is being prepared.

On Tuesday, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) released the findings of an air-quality study it conducted during and after last month's fire at the Riverton dump.

The study showed that "marked increases" in toxic gases and particulate matter could have a possible health impact.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday at Jamaica House, the minister said that the Cabinet submission would also deal with the disposal of tyres in the Riverton area.

"Coming out of that submission will be a remedy to deal with the 1.5 million tyres currently in and around the Riverton dump and new arrangements for disposal of tyres, which will include the shredding of those tyres," Vaz explained.

Vaz admitted that the solution is taking some time but asserted that a quick-fix approach cannot be used.