The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)
is cautioning the public that the oil stolen from the Jamaica Public
Service Company Limited (JPSCo) transformer at the sub-station in
Parnassus, Clarendon on Sunday, October 11, 2009 is hazardous.
The oil may possibly contain Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs) which causes cancer in animals and is probably
carcinogenic to humans. Members of the public are being cautioned to
avoid contact with the substance. Further, the Agency is appealing
to the persons who took the substance to return it to the
sub-station due to the hazardous nature of PCBs and the potential
danger that it poses to humans.
NEPA officials responded to the incident on Sunday
after a report was made by JPSCo that there was an oil spill
resulting from an explosion. The Agency will be mandating the
complete remediation of the contaminated area and will be overseeing
the efforts of the JPSCo in this regard.
We will advise the public on any further developments as the need
arises.
