ST. THOMAS — Senate President Myron Jackson, above, on Tuesday asked the Department of Health to monitor the situation at dump sites and in public areas across the territory, as delays in garbage pick-up can create hazardous environmental conditions.
“Especially in the town of Charlotte Amalie on a daily basis, we witness the overflow of garbage into the streets,” Mr. Jackson said. “There is an increase in rat infestations and environmental violations.”
Overflowing trash bins attract bacteria and disease-spreading vermin. They can also lead to air pollution, including contamination by carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane gas emitted by decomposing and liquid waste items.
Mr. Jackson said the garbage can also end up in surrounding waters, negatively impacting fishes and other sea life. Rats, in particular, are known to spread over 35 diseases, including the plague, salmonellosis, tularemia, and rat-bite fever, the senator reminded.
“It is understandable that the d epartment faces financial deficiencies, however, in consideration of our public health, national pride, and our tourist industry, our challenges with our garbage collection deserves timely remediation,” Mr. Jackson said. “There is a lack of communication with the general public regarding waste management problems that must be addressed. I am calling on the Department of Health and Division of Environmental Protection to do what is required to monitor and cite these violations of our public health.”
Tags: myron jackson, trash collection, us virgin islands
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