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The National Environment and
Planning Agency, NEPA, has served a Breach Notice on
the management of Industrial Chemical Company, Jamaica Limited, ICC,
in relation to last Saturday’s Sulphuric Acid spill at the company’s
storage facility located off Marcus Garvey Drive, in the vicinity of
the Greenwich Town Fishing Village in Kingston.
Under the terms of the
Breach Notice, ICC has 30 days in which to construct a
bund (embankment or dyke) at the facility. Additionally,
the Agency will be taking further action against ICC under the
Natural Resources Conservation Act and the Wildlife
Protection Act.
NEPA, in partnership with the Office of
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Fire Brigade and
the Marine Police has all but completed its investigations into the
spill. From the probe:
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Tests have shown that the pH level of the
ambient water quality in the area is returning to normal. Both
surface water and water taken from a depth of three metres were
tested by NEPA’s laboratory staff.
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There are still residues of the acid in the
soil along the path the material took to the sea. There is a
concern that a period of heavy rain could wash-out the sediment
into the marine environment.
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If there is no heavy rainfall in the area,
the land is expected to be rehabilitated within the next four
weeks. However, NEPA is unable to say whether such a washout
will have any significant impact on the marine environment.
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Based on laboratory tests, there is no
evidence to prevent the resumption of all activities in and
around the area affected by the acid spill.
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ICC is expected to submit a report to NEPA
by Tuesday, 15 September, 2009.
The Agency has convened a four
member team to complete a quick-scan of the coastline along the
Kingston Harbour to identify those enterprises which conduct trade
in hazardous substances. Once the scan is complete, the enterprises
will be directed to apply for permits for the relevant activities.
NEPA is reassuring the public
that it will continue to monitor the water quality to ensure there
is no fallout from the spill. We will continue to provide updates as
the investigations progress
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