Air contamination detected in 2 sites in Guimaras

The Deparment of Health (DOH) reported Friday that the air in at least two areas in Guimaras Island, the worst hit province of a massive oil spill in Central Philippines, displayed high levels of toxic contaminants. Government toxicologists reported that Nauway village and Sitio Butconaway in Sibunang and Nueva Valencia towns, respectively, had above normal levels of benzene, ethybenzene, toluene, hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals. Oil sludge that washed up on the once pristine beaches, health experts found, polluted the air with toxic fumes. In contrast, however, residents in Kabalaghan and La Paz villages in Nueva Valencia could now breathe easier after collected oil sludge was boarded onto a hired barge for the disposal. Meanwhile, cleanup operations in Guimaras resumed Friday after workers in the province were given protective gear. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH purcahsed 1,000 respirator masks and ordered 600 more. Each mask costs P1,200 and will be reimbursed to Petron Corp., which government probers found to be liable for overloading fuel on the ill-fated tanker MT Solar I. The Health department has also procured some P2 million worth of Vitamin B complex tablets. Vitamin B helps boost the immunity of the workers' nervous system against exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Duque said the money for the vitamins was taken from the P12-million fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Rubber boots niteryl gloves were also given to the workers by other government agencies. Duque also reported that oil sludge collectors would now be cut in half, from eight hours down to four. Local officials in Guimaras suspended cleanup operations earlier this week, complaining about inadequate safety equipment. Nueva Valencia Mayor Diosdado Gonzaga then said the local government was now also unable to pay for the workers' services and can only offer them rice and sardines.-GMANews.TV