Letter - Polluted air is choking the city

Dear Eulalee,

Congratulations on on your article. I totally agree with the contents. As someone suffering from severe allergies, I am most uncomfortable when these emissions are unleashed on me.

The matter of persons burning bush (especially when it is green) is another issue. When we had the last outbreak of fire in Riverton City, we heard all kinds of statements, written and oral, as to how wrong it is to be burning things, and we were even enlightened as to the law. If I remember correctly, the law applies to Kingston and St Andrew and St Catherine.

Well, I live in Portmore, and it is my opinion that the Government can rake in a good amount of revenue, on a daily basis, for such offences. Even the Jamaica Public Service Company wooden poles are at risk. I have seen where fire has damaged poles because someone would choose to light bushes nearby. And the countryside, once with lush, green vegetation that is very pleasing to the eye, is now often an eyesore after burning.

I totally agree that pressure should be placed on the responsible agencies to act.

Regards

- Concerned Reader

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.