BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
RESIDENTS using water tanks near to where most of the recent burning had taken place have been urged to empty their water tanks.
This was according to Tina Ropohahi’a from the Ministry of health and medical services environment health division.
“The recent looting and burning as we know, some of the houses burnt have contain certain types of chemical as well.
“The smoke contains the deposits from the fire and carries it on to the roof of the houses that provide rain for households.
“One of the classic example was Island enterprise where there are different types of chemicals sold and other materials that is hazardous to health,’ she said.
Mrs Ropohahi’a said people using water tanks for household uses have been urged to empty their tanks as it might have been contaminated harmful deposits.
She said that people residing close to where most of the burning had taken place during the 3 days unrest has been strongly urged to take heed to prevent possible health risk.
The spokeswoman also caution that with recent rainfall, it will have the a higher chance of creating a good habitat for vector diseases within the ruin sites.
Based on the assessment of possible health risk in relation to the burning of the recent riot Mrs Ropohahi’a described as been ‘moderate to high risk.
“Assessment from the burnt buildings from the recent unrest indicates a moderate to high health risk factors,” she said.
The National Disaster council aftermath assessment reports concluded that there is a high levels of toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
According to Mrs Ropohahi’a this had posed moderate to high health risks such as lung infection, pneumonia, bronchitis and allergies to surrounding communities.
The collective report indicated that the toxic gases are from burnt products such as paints, chemicals and pesticides, physical structures and vapour including refrigerators.
