A Report on the Rubis Robinson Road Service Station fuel leak reveals that there is no indication of a current exposure to, or any long-term risks to the health and safety of Marathon residents despite concerns from some quarters, Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Michael Perry Gomez said Monday.

The Report also revealed that during the spill and since the spill, no resident has been or was exposed to dangerous levels of contaminants.

Tests further show no significant, detectable levels of contaminants from the spill in well water.

“In short, residents of Marathon are safe,” Dr. Gomez said.

Addressing a press conference held at the Ministry of Health Headquarters early Monday afternoon, Dr. Gomez assured residents of marathon and Bahamians across the length and breadth of the Commonwealth that the Government of The Bahamas has done, and will continue to do, everything in its power to protect the health and safety of Bahamians everywhere.

Dr. Gomez said following the discovery of the spill, the Government took immediate actions to address the situation including conducting an assessment and evaluation of the population in the immediate area of the Rubis Fuel leak in the Marathon estates area, adjacent to the Rubis Gas Station that was the focus of the oil spill. The assessment was conducted by the Department of Public Health.

The Ministry of Health, at the direction of the Government and in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) engaged experts (toxicologists and epidemiologists) to ensure that a comprehensive, professional approach was taken in the best interests of the Bahamian public. A team was also appointed under the direction of Chief medical Officer Dr. Glen Beneby to complete health survey assessments and evaluations of the population to determine if any health intervention was necessary.

Baseline health assessments were conducted on 223 persons. The individuals were identified through the Department of Public Health Surveillance Team’s home visits in the area most likely to be impacted by the fuel leak.

Dr. Gomez said an aggressive public safety education and awareness campaign, carried out via Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that identified specialty clinics held at the Elizabeth Estates Clinic on six weekends between May 16 and June 14, 2015, also proved to be a successful approach as concerned residents “prompted by those PSAs” presented at the specialty clinics for screening.

“Additionally, screenings were offered to all persons presenting at the clinics. The review of individual test results is occurring at ongoing follow-up visits,” Dr. Gomez continued, “the results of these activities show us that based on the tests performed thus far, there has been no significant adverse effects on the persons tested.

“There is also no evidence that health issues in Marathon residents are a direct result of the spill. There is no significant difference in the incidence of health issues in this area of the country than any other area of the population,” Dr. Gomez added.

The Health Minister said Monday’s press conference was a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to provide “regular and open communication” with the community and other key stakeholders involving the Rubis Robinson Road fuel leak.

“This update demonstrates our commitment to give our citizens the information they need and deserve. We know this has been and continues to be a very difficult experience for the community, and we are working as hard as we can to fully understand and potential health risk and to make changes as to how these types of threats are managed and communicated in the future.

“Our Government is serious about protecting the health and safety of Bahamians and the Bahamian environment,” Dr. Gomez added.