Air pollution complaints from disabled people in San Souci building

Apart from having to cope with chronic conditions which have rendered them disabled, persons who use the Voice of the Disabled centre at San Souci are also dealing with another situation which is also impacting their health in a negative way.

Persons who work at the centre, and also others who visit the centre regularly are complaining about the effects of air pollution that is making them sick.

President of Voice of the Disabled, Cheryl Adams said they began having problems last year, with the operations of a body works shop, located in close proximity to their base of operation.

Adams told SEARCHLIGHT that the sprays that are often used on the vehicles, have very strong odours and make breathing difficult for persons at the centre.

“It is very difficult to deal with the fumes. I am not trying to cut down anybody’s breadfruit tree, but you can’t cut down my health,” Adams insisted.

Apart from difficulty breathing, persons at the centre are also said to experience headaches, eye irritation and nausea, as a result of having to inhale the strong fumes.

Additionally, Adams said the fumes trigger asthma attacks in some of the persons with disability at the centre.

She said she has reached out to the Public Health Department repeatedly, but the problem is yet to be rectified.

“Every time you call Public Health, you get a different story.

“This is overbearing now,” Adams complained.

She said the spraying of vehicles is done on a regular basis and they are unable to cope with the situation any more.

The organisation recently received financial support from an entity in Australia to help upgrade the building which has been undergoing repairs to better cater for those at the centre and to expand its activities.