A reactionary approach to pollution events leaves the public and natural resources vulnerable to adverse impacts. Furthermore, the delayed release of information regarding human health can lead to medical conditions that would have otherwise been avoidable. Timely public disclosure of environmental health data through monitoring programs is essential for a healthy Bahamas.

Monitoring programs are common in developed countries where data on air and water quality are displayed regularly, if not in real-time. Remarkably, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an interactive webpage for all indices related environmental health across the U.S., see www.epa.gov/epa/enviro/myenviro. U.S. residents can access data on air quality, water quality, energy, and health in their neighborhoods. On a smaller scale, The Bahamas should strive to achieve similarly accessible environmental data.

Monitoring programs and health indexes such the Air Quality Index (AQI) provide tangible meaning to the public. For example, in terms of air quality reporting the AQI is comprised of six "criteria pollutants" that when combined generate an overall account of air quality. These criteria pollutants are ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and lead (Pb).

Why measure these criteria pollutants? Because these pollutants are key indicators for conditions that are hazardous to health. Some of these criteria pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide are emitted from point sources, such as power plants, cruise ships, fires, airplane exhaust, vehicle emissions; and others such as ozone are formed by secondary reactions.

The Black & Veatch International report on the Rubis Robinson Road fuel release should give Bahamians pause to consider what exactly is in the air, water, and soil around us. Too often action is taken only after contamination is suspected and human health is already impacted. We need an understanding of current air quality conditions and a system of notification when our well-being is in jeopardy.

Moreover, measuring these criteria pollutants generates baseline air quality data which allows for future comparison, critical for measuring the effectiveness of policy changes and the impacts of population growth. But air quality measurements are not wholly absent in The Bahamas.

According to the 2010 Environmental Management Audit of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation by KES, annual air quality monitoring reports by a U.S. consulting firm have indicated compliance with U.S. EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards. However, fine print in the table appendices alludes to some interruption of testing in 2009 and repair being needed on the continuous emissions monitor. But if BEC has the equipment present, then there is knowledge of air quality on New Providence which can be incorporated into a public monitoring system.

Admittedly, in the absence of specific Environmental Health Services regulations residents impacted by pollution face undue hardship for compensation whether in the format of remediation or monetarily. Moreover, this same absence of regulations has slowed implementation by industry of best management practices for safety and environmental management.

The Bahamas now faces a crossroad where the pressure of human population and knowledge of environmental matters is in direct opposition to the continuation of subpar practices that are not easily (amenable) to national laws. Who bears responsibility and cost of remediation when the pollution may not have been intentional but the result of lagging regulations?

Even in countries with established monitoring programs, citizen scientists are taking advantage of lower cost technologies to understand local environmental conditions. Through the use of user-friendly devices any layman can obtain a basic idea of pollution at a particular site, say at a home or business located near a fire for outdoor particulate matter levels. There are even apps dedicated to air quality data for locations such as Beijing where air pollution has become a chronic issue.

The best course of action is to establish a network of professional grade monitoring stations across New Providence and areas of industry on the Family Islands. Environmental health education is important for Bahamians. Generating awareness about the potential pollutants that exist in our water, soil and air enables public participation in improving our environmental health.

o Melissa Alexiou is the director of Waypoint Consulting Ltd., a project management and environmental consulting firm based in Nassau.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian