“We are looking for possible dioxins which is associated with oil refineries,” said DOH regional epidemiologist Dr. Jesse Fantone. He said there are no laboratories in the Philippines capable to tracing dioxin elements in the samples.
Residents of Lamao, Limay have blamed the refinery for their skin and respiratory ailments which allegedly started when the refinery started to operate in 2013.
But Fantone said that so far, experts have found no correlation between the ailments and the refinery. He cited a Bataan-wide study done by specialists from the DOH’s environmental and occupational bureau, the epidemiology bureau the national reference laboratory, and the toxicology section, as well as the Bataan provincial health office and the Limay rural health office, showing “no clustering” of skin and respiratory ailments in Limay.
“We did a morbidity study in Limay and the rest of Bataan but we saw no clustering (of skin and respiratory ailments). It was supposed to be a validation survey done last Jan. 13,” he reported.
Fantone said that despite this, “just to be sure, the team which conducted the study gathered water and soil samples from the area and these were brought to laboratories in Japan and Australia where the results are expected after two months at most.”
He also said blood samples were also taken from 10 residents of Limay who had complained of respiratory and skin rashes which, he noted, appeared to be simple “galis.”
“A team of epidemiologists have been staying in LImay since last Monday for a more extensive study,” he said.
DOH regional director Dr. Leonita Gorgolon said “we are concerned with the health of the people. If we find connection between the ailments and the refi nery, we will make the necessary recommendations.”
Earlier, Environment Sec. Gina Lopez vowed to get to the bottom of the issue. Under the initial sanction imposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, oil refiner Petron will be allowed to transfer an ash stockpile said to be causing the environment and health problems.
“Right now, it’s the mountain. The mountain is causing all the health problems. The mayor didn’t give the permit. I’ll give their permit and they are gonna take it out,” Lopez said. “They’re gonna silo it so it doesn’t go out at all and we’ll see it happening,” she added.
Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corp. which owns the refinery, denied that the plant was causing health problems, but nonetheless promised to cover medical expenses for affected residents.
