PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 4 March 2025: The Environmental Health Department (EHD) of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Chemical Storage Unit for Providenciales. This significant investment underscores our commitment to enhancing public health, ensuring environmental protection, and improving workplace safety for our vector control team. Future purchases of similar units are planned for North Caicos and South Caicos to further strengthen our island-wide vector control efforts.
The newly acquired storage unit is designed to safely house pesticides, fogging machines, and other essential vector control equipment. Its robust construction meets stringent safety standards, providing a secure and controlled environment for hazardous materials. This acquisition aligns with the government’s mission to safeguard the health of residents and visitors by mitigating risks associated with improper chemical storage.
Key Benefits of the Chemical Storage Unit:
- Enhanced Environmental Protection: The unit’s spill containment system and ventilation features prevent leaks and reduce the risk of chemical exposure to the surrounding ecosystem. By properly storing pesticides, we are minimising the potential for soil and water contamination, thereby preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Improved Staff Safety: Equipped with fire-resistant materials and proper ventilation, the unit ensures that vector control staff can store and access chemicals in a safe and compliant manner. This reduces the risk of accidental exposure, inhalation hazards, and fire incidents.
- Efficient Vector Control Operations: The secure and organised storage of fogging machines and pesticides ensures quick and efficient deployment during mosquito and pest control activities. This will enhance our ability to respond promptly to vector-borne disease threats, such as dengue fever and chikungunya.
The Environmental Health Department remains committed to implementing best practices in vector control and public health protection. The addition of this chemical storage unit marks a milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency while upholding the highest safety and environmental standards.
