The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today said it is monitoring the air quality in Linden, even as the Guyana Fire Service with support from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues its fire suppression efforts to control the smoldering fire involving waste material from some sawmills in Linden.

The fire has been flaring up since last Wednesday.

Providing a status report today, the EPA said the fire involves subsurface organic and waste materials, resulting in persistent smoke. It said the Guyana Fire Service is actively engaged in fire suppression using wetting, excavation, water saturation and other measures to suppress the subsurface fire.

For its part, the EPA is monitoring the air quality, including carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter in the nearby community.

According to the EPA, air quality monitoring conducted on Monday evening indicated that the Carbon Monoxide levels have not exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) standards within the community.

However, it said reports received from several residents indicate discomfort and health impacts, particularly among pregnant women and children with asthma or other respiratory vulnerabilities.

It is therefore urging residents to limit outdoor activities, keep windows and doors closed to reduce indoor smoke exposure, use face masks when outdoors, and to visit the nearest health centre if unable to breathe or experiences other symptoms such as dizziness or chest tightness.

EPA said it will continue to carry out air quality surveillance and public health risk assessments.

Related posts:

Fire at Linden sawmill waste disposal site contained after several hours of firefighting Deadly Linden fire was maliciously set -Fire Service reports Fire Service encourages businesses to invest in fire prevention equipment; GNIC bonds had none Cevon’s Waste truck caught dumping sewage in Linden; Company says rogue driver to be blamed