Hydrocarbon fumes which lingered across parts of central Trinidad on Sunday night have dissipated even as the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the National Gas Company (NGC) continue to monitor air quality in the area. When the T&T Guardian visited the area yesterday, access to Camden Road was blocked to facilitate road works.
However, two investigators from NGC said they were trying to ascertain from where the fumes were coming. Saying there was no evidence to suggest the fumes were caused by a gas leak, the source said: “We have no gas line in this area that is operational. So far, we have no idea as yet to explain how the fumes originated.” Along Rivulet Road, three workers from Trinweld Contractors Ltd were preparing a four-inch NGC line to supply the children’s hospital in Couva. Foreman Anthony Dyette said the line was not yet functional.
However, he said it was being connected to an eight-inch gas line closeby. Several residents of Couva called on the NGC to continually monitor gas levels in the district. Randy Dinnoo, of Camden said: “This is a highly developed area and we need to have constant monitoring of air quality. The EMA has to do its job.” Dinnoo also said that the gas fumes were especially high between 12.30 pm on Sunday to 2.30 pm.
“It did not smell like normal gasoline fumes. It was stronger than that. It spread across several areas and we were very disturbed about it,” he added. He also said upgrades were being done at the heliport while drag racing was also going on at the time. Slyvia Khan, of Balmain, said while driving along the Couva Main Road, the smell was nauseating. “We had to leave the house,” she added.
Investigation continues
Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh said yesterday the fumes had dissipated. He said the National Operations Centre (NOC), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), and the EMA were continuing investigations. “I have constituents who are monitoring the situation and as of now the fumes have dissipated,” Indarsingh said.
Chairman of the EMA Dr Allan Bachan said yesterday inspectors have been monitoring the gas levels in the area. He added: “We are doing air quality tests and we are trying to ascertain the cause of the fumes. We are also working closely with the NGC.” He said the NGC’s valve station in Couva had been shut down while tests were ongoing.
Director of NOC Garvin Heerah in a message on Sunday said the Savonetta Fire Station co-ordinated a response. He said while the results of the air quality tests were safe, the intensification of the fumes was irregular. He also said that Fire Services were not satisfied the emissions were due to nitrous or other fuels being used in the Camden drag-racing strip.