MAPUA

POLLUTION
EFFECTS OF COMTAMINATION and the
DECOMTAMINATION PROCESS
OUTLINE
History of the problem
Risk assessment, management, communication
Vulnerable group
Jamaican Agency
Environmental laws in Jamaica
HISTORY
Mapua, New Zealand home to worst contamination site.
The source of the contamination, Fruit-growers Chemical
Company (FCC) was founded in 1931
FCC made various chemicals such as DDT, DDD
Spills and waste led to high concentration of pesticides
Residents suffered from various illness respiratory, cancer,
anxiety, stress from both contamination and
decontamination process
RISK ASSESSMENT
THE PROBLEM
CONTAMINATION PROCESS-
Contamination of soil, marine
sediments, and ground water by
organocholrine pesticides (OCPs)
OCPs Exposure Pathways;
Dermal contact and ingestion
soil
Ingestion of food grown in soil
Inhalation- dust and vapours
Ingestion of contaminated
fish/shellfish
THE PROBLEM
DECONTAMINATIONPROCESS-
Residents exposed to heavy metals
such as ammonia, odour and noise
and vibrations
Exposure Pathways;
Air emissions of chemicals & dust
inhalation
Ingestion of contaminated
groundwater & marine sediments
Mental stress from high levels of
noise & vibrations
RISK MANAGEMENT
CONTAMINATION PROCESS
Site investigated and
decontamination process
decided upon
2001 Environmental
Decontamination Limited
(EDL) took over by the
Ministry of Health 2004
DECONTAMINATION
PROCESS
Monitoring and controlling
Air Emission
Ground water
Storm water
Dust
Odour, vibration, noise
RISK COMMUNICATION
Assessment of Public Health Risk from the Remediation of
the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site, Mapua,
Nelson (March, 2010)
Investigation into Public Health risk of clean up
Published on the Ministrys website
Recommendations
Peer Review Panels
Offsite Remediation
Statutory Review
VUNERABLE GROUP
Residents in Mapua were affected by the
contamination and decontamination of the site
Illnesses attributed to contamination cancer
Decontaminated process exposed residents to
various toxins
VUNERABLE GROUP
Residents reported - excessive noise, dust, odour,
pollution of the ground water
During process residents complained of respiratory
illnesses, stress & anxiety
Compensation - Government offered free health
checks, admitted residents health compromised
JAMAICAN AGENCY
National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA)
responsibilities include;
1. Monitoring resource assets and the environment
2. Management and protection of the countrys biodiversity
(microorganisms, plants, animals and their habitat)
3. Processing and approving permits for the export and transit
of hazardous waste
4. Preparing town and parish development plans
5. National environment planning and development strategies
JAMAICAS ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
The Clean Air Act, 1964
The Land Development & Utilisation Act, 1966
The Public Health Act, 1985
The Pesticides Act , 1987
The National Solid Waste Management Act, 2001