Cayman Brac landfill faces the same difficulty in metal control.

Cayman Brac and Little Cayman residents say they are concerned about stockpiling of metal on their islands.

In Little Cayman, residents believe this could become potentially hazardous to their population and are calling on the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) to intervene with urgency in addressing the problem.

The area in question is the landfill where a large amount of scrap metal is being dumped.

“With a population of only 200 residents, there are many old abandoned vehicles that are towed to the dump,” one resident who wanted to remain anonymous said.

“Notwithstanding, the island does not have many motor vehicle accidents, hence it is surmised that the growing number of vehicles taken to the dump, are vehicles that have been discarded by owners for whatever reasons. Soon we will have a mountain of metal if something is not done soon to export all of this metal off island for it to be recycled.”

Environmental Officer for the Sister Islands, Thomas Augustine, said metals at the landfills on both islands are set aside from other waste materials and awaiting transportation to Grand Cayman. He added that the metal would eventually be shipped overseas for recycling.

He explained that the slowdown in transportation is due to the breakdown in talks with a contracted company.

“Currently a tender is out for companies to submit their application for the process to continue,” said Mr Augustine. “The aim now is to get things sorted out as quickly as possible as everyone is cognizant of the negative effects of metal on the environment.”


About metals and the environment

Metal contains chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous, especially heavy metals, which have the component of mercury. Heavy metals are natural components of the Earth’s crust.

They cannot be degraded or destroyed. To a small extent they enter human bodies via food, drinking water and air. As trace elements, some heavy metals (e.g. copper, selenium, zinc) are essential to maintain the metabolism of the human body.

However, at higher concentrations they can lead to poisoning and this is what the residents are most concerned about. Heavy metal poisoning could result, for instance, from drinking-water contamination (e.g. lead pipes), high ambient air concentrations near emission sources, or intake via the food chain.
The three most potent pollutants of heavy metals are; Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury. Heavy metals can enter a water supply via industrial and consumer waste, or even from acidic rain breaking down soils and releasing heavy metals into streams, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.


Effects of Cadmium

Cadmium derives its toxicological properties from its chemical similarity to zinc, an essential micronutrient for plants, animals and humans. Cadmium is biopersistent and, once absorbed by an organism, remains resident for many years (over decades for humans) although it is eventually excreted. High exposure can lead to obstructive lung disease and has been linked to lung cancer, although data concerning the latter are difficult to interpret due to compounding factors.

Cadmium may also produce bone defects (osteomalacia, osteoporosis) in humans and animals. In addition, the metal can be linked to increased blood pressure and effects on the myocardium in animals, although most human data do not support these findings. The most significant use of cadmium is in nickel/cadmium batteries, as rechargeable or secondary power sources exhibiting high output, long life, low maintenance and high tolerance to physical and electrical stress.


Effects of Copper

Copper is an essential substance to human life, but in high doses it can cause anemia, liver and kidney damage, and stomach and intestinal irritation. People with Wilson’s disease are at greater risk for health effects from overexposure to copper. Copper normally occurs in drinking water from copper pipes, as well as from additives designed to control algal growth.


Effects of Lead

In humans exposure to lead can result in a wide range of biological effects depending on the level and duration of exposure. Various effects occur over a broad range of doses, with the developing fetus and infant being more sensitive than the adult. High levels of exposure may result in toxic biochemical effects in humans which in turn cause problems in the synthesis of haemoglobin, effects on the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, joints and reproductive system, and acute or chronic damage to the nervous system.

Lead in the environment arises from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Exposure can occur through drinking water, food, air, soil and dust from old paint containing lead. In the general non-smoking, adult population the major exposure pathway is from food and water. Food, air, water and dust/soil are the major potential exposure pathways for infants and young children.


Effects of Mercury

Mercury is a toxic substance which has no known function in human biochemistry or physiology and does not occur naturally in living organisms. Inorganic mercury poisoning is associated with tremors, gingivitis and/or minor psychological changes, together with spontaneous abortion and congenital malformation. Mercury is a global pollutant with complex and unusual chemical and physical properties; World-wide mining of the metal leads to indirect discharges into the atmosphere.

The usage of mercury is widespread in industrial processes and in various products (e.g. batteries, lamps and thermometers). It is also widely used in dentistry as an amalgam for fillings and by the pharmaceutical industry. Concern over mercury in the environment arises from the extremely toxic forms in which mercury can occur.


Effects of Chromium on the environment

Chromium is used in metal alloys and pigments for paints, cement, paper, rubber, and other materials. Low-level exposure can irritate the skin and cause ulceration. Long-term exposure can cause kidney and liver damage, and damage too circulatory and nerve tissue. Chromium often accumulates in aquatic life, adding to the danger of eating fish that may have been exposed to high levels of chromium.