Tuesday, September 05, 2006
31 Guimaras villages to be declared safe from oil spill, effects
THE Department of Health (DOH) is set to issue a clean bill of health certification to at least 31 barangays in Guimaras that were reportedly affected by the oil slick from a tanker that sank three weeks ago off the island.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they are just waiting for the report of the team of toxicologists deployed last week to determine what areas should be cleaned of the toxins and contaminants due to the oil spill.
"The toxicologists from the East Avenue Medical Center and in Region 6 are measuring the level of hydrogen sulfide and aromatic carbon in the reported affected barangays and once this is completed, we will issue a clean bill of health certification," Duque told reporters.
The team, that includes two toxicologists, five doctors and eight nurses, were deployed last week to Guimaras to evaluate the health situation in Guimaras following the sinking of motor tanker Solar I.
Initially, Duque said there are nine "slightly affected" barangays out of the reported 31 affected barangays in the province.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had given the team one week to complete the testing and to come up with the report by next week.
So far, Duque said cases of cough, chest pains and skin dermatitis are the most common diseases in Guimaras. The affected individuals include children and adults, added the health chief.
Aside from measuring the level of toxins, Duque said the team of toxicologists are also testing the ambient levels in the air as well as the extent of the poison in shellfish.
However, Duque said fish from Guimaras remains free of toxins and other pollutants. (MSN/Sunnex)
(September 5, 2006 issue)
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