Official EMA Media Release:

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) continues to observe an improvement in the Air Quality Levels around the Beetham Landfill. The current Air Quality Level, as of 3:00 p.m. on 8 April 2022, as recorded at the EMA’s Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station located at Beetham, Port of Spain, is now Unhealthy.

This reading is an improvement over this morning’s readings which reached Very Unhealthy levels; however, it is noted that extreme caution is still required by persons in the vicinity, particularly the elderly, children, and those with respiratory ailments. The high reading is due primarily to the smoke and particulate matter associated with the fire at the Beetham landfill.

The EMA has advised all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Health, and continues to liaise closely with partner agencies, such as SWMCOL to obtain status updates. Further details will be provided as the situation unfolds.