An elderly woman sits on a pile of asbestos pipes that were dug up and are to be removed from the area. - Ian Allen

Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine

The University of the West Indies Chemistry Department has undertaken an asbestos pipe removal exercise in the Succaba Pen area of Old Harbour, at a cost of J$6.5 million.

The project, which is funded by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, is about 90 per cent completed, and the exercise is the removal of tonnes of asbestos that were being used for housing foundation, roadways, flower pots, culverts, roofing, gateposts, and even to fill a pond in the area.

When THE STAR visited the North Street, Ascot Drive and Succaba Pen communities, several large piles of the potentially cancer-causing asbestos were seen dug up and placed for removal to the Riverton landfill.

According to Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, head of the UWI Chemistry Department, the aim of the exercise is to rid the community of over 500 households of the potential health hazards, such as lead inhalation and mesophelioma lining of the lungs (cancer), asbestosis and asbestos blue (very dangerous cancer). He said that the removal of these pipes from the area would make it asbestos-free.

The residents have been living with the asbestos threat for over 30 years, as the old asbestos factory once operated in the area.

Community members told THE STAR that they were glad that the removal exercise was under way, as they have been living in virtual ignorance as to what asbestos could do to their health.

"I have been living here for 30-odd years and I feel good that they are removing the dangerous pipes, 'cause all along I did not know it could harm us," said Daphne Jones, a senior citizen.

Several councillors, including Derval Weir and Esworth Frankson, had been agitating for years for the removal of the asbestos pipes, and they, too, have given their blessings to the current exercise. The work is being carried out by residents of the community with technical assistance given by personnel from the University of the West Indies Chemistry Department. It is slated to last for six weeks.