Some residents of La-Resource, Vieux-Fort say the smoke emanating from the Vieux-Fort landfill at Beanefield, is negatively impacting them.
According to the concerned residents, the degree of its impact depends on the direction the wind is blowing.
They lamented that the billowing plumes of thick black smoke from the landfill, which hovers over the community, is causing respiratory issues to some of them due to the air quality. They say it causes them to cough, sneeze, and for others, it exacerbates symptoms in those with asthma.
According to them, it also causes their clothes to smell bad since the smoke exudes an obnoxious smell.
It’s close to two weeks since smoke has been emanating from the landfill, located not too far from the hospital at Beanefield.
A resident of the community said at one point she was almost smoked out of her home by the billowing smoke which sometimes lingers overhead in the community, depending of the direction of the wind is blowing.
Orline Dalphinis said: “The smoke causes our eyes to burn us. In addition, the smell is very bad. It smells like burnt rubber.”
Another resident said: “We have been experiencing this problem for years. Our health is in danger. The authorities need to find a way of dealing with this problem.”
According to the resident, the situation is of grave concern to them, since the problem is a perennial one.
In a statement from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affair earlier this week, it stated that it is aware of the current air quality in the community of La Resource, Vieux-Fort given the fire at the Vieux-Fort landfill, noting that it may cause health risk to residents.
“The Ministry of Health is concerned of the health impacts for the people with respiratory conditions such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, (COPD), the elderly and pregnant women. Therefore, the ministry urges those individuals to move outside of the area until the situation is under control, in an effort to reduce the impact of the smoke to their health,” the ministry stated.