The Ministry for Grand Bahama in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization held a town hall meeting Monday, which focused on environmental issues affecting persons residing in the industrial zone.

The meeting was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall in Lewis Yard and attracted persons from the Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Hunters and Hawksbill areas who for years have been complaining about odours and possible health issues as a result of their close proximity to the various industrial plants in the area.

In keeping with its mandate for the proposed relocation of the residents in the area, the government has contracted PAHO (Pan American Health Organization)/WHO (World Health Organization) to complete an Environmental Health Risk Assessment to determine, if any, the effects of proximity to the industrial park on residents.

The objective of the town meeting was to advise residents of the sampling procedures that will take place in the coming weeks, develop open and transparent lines of communication, as well as to assess the risk perception of the community around the issues of chemical exposure and contamination.

In addition to the Minister for Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville, the presenters included Kelly Salmond, project manager and consultant to the Social Determinant of Health, PAHO/WHO; and John Rainford, risk communication specialist, PAHO/WHO.