Dear Editor,

I first visited the community of Wismar in 1972. The most distinctive feature of that visit was the dust that rained from the skies. This was after it was pumped through the four or so chimneys on the opposite side of the river.

Two years later (1974) I enrolled at the University of Guyana as a student in the Faculty of Technology. At that institution I learnt there were solutions to the dust problem which were successfully applied elsewhere.

Today I am in Wismar, and as I write dust is falling. I cannot say if the intensity is greater or less than on my first visit for several reasons. I did no measurements then and neither do I have the means of doing so now. Also because the phenomenon had so impressed me at the time, if today the intensity has tripled, what I experienced then would have appeared of greater magnitude.

Environmental agencies, health authorities, governments and international bodies have all concurred that the kind of situation as exists in Wismar reduces the quality of life – not only for humans but for all forms of life. It leaves one to wonder why a situation like this is allowed to continue. Are those in Wismar not eligible for a life free from dust pollution?

In recent times the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been making efforts to implement environmental standards for industrial operations. I think the nation and especially the people of Wismar would like to know the standards which this organization would like to see observed with regard to the chimney emissions within the bauxite industry. To this end I think the time is due for the EPA to apprise us of its position. What are 1) its recommendations in relation to the problem in Wismar; 2) its expected time of implementation; 3) possible penalties?
Yours faithfully,
Elton McRae
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to the Environmental Protection Agency for any comments they may wish to make.