West End residents want relief from dust and fumes from the incinerator and quarry. Photo: VINO/File

An aerial view of the quarry in West End. Photo: Internet source

It was days after workers of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) complained bitterly about the nuisance of dust and fumes from the asphalt plant that was having a serious effect on them that residents of the West End Community have been bombarding our news room with calls about especially the dust that has been emanating from the quarry in the area for years.

The BVIEC workers had also complained about the dust and fumes from the quarry and incinerator in the area but had noted it was not as bad as the asphalt plant’s situation.

“This has been going on for years, and rather than the owners take steps to improve the situation, it is getting worse which tells me that they have become comfortable with things because it may seem to them that we in the area are comfortable, but we got news; we are not comfortable,” said one resident.

Another said that he is very much sure that West End accounts for most of the asthma and other respiratory cases in the territory. “I grew up in East End areas I never had, not one day of my life, had any issues with breathing and anything that resembles asthma now since I have been living in this area for the past 8 years. I suddenly have this condition with my sinus and it is attributed to the dust because I am in the path of it which the wind blows in this direction,” said the man.

Several others complained that the area is saturated with persons who are affected by the dust and some complained of suffering from claustrophobia as they are not opening up their apartments to allow fresh air to pass through otherwise the dust would get into their homes.

“The situation with the asphalt plant the other day was a clear indication that better could be done at the quarry too. There must be some technology that they can use to even recycle all those particles rather than have it taking up residence in persons homes and getting them sick,” said one woman.

They also complained especially about the heavy smoke and fumes that come from the incinerator in the area. “It’s time for this government to upgrade that facility. My husband works there and I can tell you it’s not good. He complains almost every day about the situations they face daily in there much less us out here who get the nasty smell that takes over this community,” one resident related.