Dust dilemma

Residents of Dunsinane district in Mandeville, Manchester, blocked a road leading to a local quarry on Thursday to protest against the dust nuisance, which they claim is the primary cause of respiratory illnesses in the community.

The residents took to the street early in the morning, preventing haulage trucks and other vehicles from accessing the quarry and at least three other business establishments in the area.

They claim that for years, both they and their children have been suffering from asthma, irritated sinuses, and nosebleeds as a result of dust from the site, with the situation worsening in recent times.

“The other day because I was sick and dealing with this terrible cold, I had to call in and tell them that I’m not coming to work. My baby is also so sick with cold because of the dust, and I’ve tried everything. Some of the time I wonder if I’m not a good parent,” said a frustrated Dinett Trowers, who has a three-year-old son.

“I’m confused. I get medication, I buy medicine, and still, me baby nose just a run. As long as him come outside, him nose just a run,” continued Trowers.

Dwayne Rose explained that his six-year-old child was hospitalised last November and required nebuliser treatment for respiratory issues as a result of the dust.

He and other residents claim that trucks transporting the material are often not adequately secured, leading to spillage on the road, which becomes unbearable on dry, dusty days.

“We try to do what we can do. I’m not the type of parent that complains, but today, the problem has just [grown to an unbearable extent], and that’s why the road was blocked. And we did it as peacefully as possible,” he said, pausing as a half-covered truck containing material passed by.

Rose and his child’s mother displayed several parcels of medication and inhalers prescribed for respiratory illnesses. He said medication and transportation for the child to seek medical attention had run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

“We want the road to be paved, and we also want them to put in some sleeping police because when the trucks and vehicles pass, sometimes they pass at a high speed. And the trucks them [have] been spilling over, and that is the main problem. So even though some of them are covered, they are still leaking,” he said.

Thursday afternoon, Councillor Ryan Peart said he had met with at least one of the companies being blamed to outline the residents’ concerns. For now, he has been promised an official meeting within the next two weeks and that the roadway leading through the community will be repaved.

“This is the main thoroughfare for the quarry, and there are several companies around there. We had the hurricane season gone and the residents were not too affected at that time. But now we are going into the [dry season], so you can understand the dust that comes with it,” said Peart.

“They (companies) said they are going to pave the roadway very soon and put in sleeping police,” he added.

Meanwhile, Stacy-Ann Murray , manager for S&G Road Surfacing Limited, was the only representative of the blamed companies who spoke with the angry residents on Thursday.

She acknowledged that the issue had been ongoing but explained that any action plan would require consultation among all the companies involved before it could be disclosed.

That, she said, should happen in the next two weeks.

“Bear in mind that S&G is not the only company involved, so any decision has to be made collectively,” she stressed to The Gleaner.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com