The Environmental Health Department Installs First Air Quality Monitor at the Providenciales Landfill  

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 25 July 2024: The Environmental Health Department (EHD) with assistance from Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Environment (ELLE) consultants, is proud to announce the installation of the first air quality monitor at the Providenciales landfill.  This significant step comes in response to the community’s concerns about air quality and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring safe and healthy air for all residents.

The new ECOSMART, air quality monitor will provide real-time data on the air quality for the surrounding the landfill, allowing for continuous tracking and immediate response to any potential issues. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance environmental monitoring and public health.

The air quality monitor will collect information on the concentration for several air pollutants including particulate matter, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. This will not only allow for comparisons to be made based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality standards limit values but also offers us an opportunity for transparency as the department will be able to keep residents informed about the air they breathe with actual quantifiable numbers that will be made publicly accessible.

Commenting on this milestone achievement, the Honourable Minister of Health and Human Services, Shaun D Malcolm stated, “This initiative underscores the Turks and Caicos Island Government’s dedication to utilising innovative solutions to address environmental challenges and improve the quality of life for its citizens.”

The EHD encourages all residents to take advantage of this new resource that will be made available and to remain engaged in our ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and the environment.

For more information about this current endeavour please contact the Environmental Health Department at email: ehd@gov.tc   or Tel: 1-649-338-2143/44. For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.