Submitted by Agyeman Kofi
Barbados is more than an economy is always a profound cliché emanating from the flattering lips of our leaders. Our ratio of action to pretty pronouncements would be weighted in the favour of action if they only believed what they read from their well written speeches. Barbados has 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) of public paved roads. In 2010, an assessment released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the United Kingdom, ranked Barbados 6th in the world, and the top spot in the Western Hemisphere for road network density. We have heard estimates of up to 140,000 registered vehicles on the roads in Barbados. No mischief is intended but could there be any environmental links which have cursed Barbados with rankings of #3 in Prostate Cancer, #13 in Breast Cancer, #13 Colon Rectum Cancer and #9 as it relates to Lymphomas.
Let me share an excerpt from a BBC report dated June 12,201, “Exhaust fumes from diesel engines do cause cancer, a panel of experts working for the World Health Organization says. It concluded that the exhausts were definitely a cause of lung cancer and may also cause tumours in the bladder. It based the findings on research in high-risk workers such as miners, railway workers and truck drivers. However, the panel said everyone should try to reduce their exposure to diesel exhaust fumes.” (Source,The International Agency for Research)
The gas portion of diesel exhaust is mostly carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur oxides, and hydrocarbons, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The soot (particulate) portion of diesel exhaust is made up of particles such as carbon, organic materials (including PAHs), and traces of metallic compounds. Both the gases and the soot of diesel exhaust contain PAHs. These types of changes are usually needed for cancer to develop, although not all substances that cause DNA changes also cause cancer. The fumes from diesel engines exhaust is believed to play a role in other health problems, such as eye irritation, headache, asthma and other lung diseases, heart disease, and possibly immune system problems. Perhaps the reason why so many of my Ghanaian have discoloured eyes.
Even Obama has weighed in on the dangers of vehicle emissions in a recent speech on April 2, 2012, “Car manufacturers will be required to meet more stringent exhaust tailpipe standards for emission levels, while gasoline refiners will be expected to enforce at 60% reduction in the amount of sulphur in their fuel. The move is expected to require a degree of investment from manufacturers and refiners to meet their new production requirements, and has been resisted by those representing industry groups.”
We may need to take a leaf out Bermuda’s one-vehicle-per-family policy as well as encourage the use of bicycles and motorcycles. It makes no sense building more roads to accommodate an unsustainable vehicle population and then complain about increased respiratory ailments.
We must stop living greedily and selfishly and remember tomorrow belongs to future generations entrusted to us by our fore parents. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Transport & Works need to look at logical and sustainable solutions to control the spiralling increases in cars on our roads and the contingent health fall out.
Some will raise their hands in the air and think there goes an alarmist, but the question begs why doesn’t the government agency publish a Daily Air Quality Index, thus in its labsence it would be informative for the Chief Medical Officer to share the levels of the below mentioned substances.
Sulphur oxide (SOx) is emitted from motor vehicles burning fuel containing sulphur. Reducing the level of fuel sulphur reduces the level of Sulphur oxide emitted from the tailpipe. Refineries generally fight requirements to do this because of the increased costs to them, ignoring the increased costs to society as a whole. Another culprit found in vehicle emissions is carbon monoxide which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen; overexposure (carbon monoxide poisoning) may be fatal. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a major killer.
Carbon monoxide is colourless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic. In the U.S. 60% of carbon monoxide is caused by on road vehicles and I would say without any empirical evidence, given our size and vehicle density it may not be any different.
Why don’t portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) exist in Barbados? These are essentially lightweight ‘laboratories that are used to test and assess mobile sources of emissions. To say that cost is a prohibitive factor would be an insult to logical thinking persons as a country’s health is its true wealth.
Let’s not take the people’s health for granted as an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. The Future Centre Trust will be steadfast in its clarion call for things environmental and sustainable development.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.