‘
of the sanitary deficiencies of all tne schools be obtained.
These deficiencies
-s,
should then be discussed with the Department of Education and a plan for bringing
the schools up to standards will be developed.
Table 6 shows that practically every island surveyed had rats that were
considered to be a problem; most also had fly problems,
mosquitoes.
and about half had
With proper frequent disposal of solid wastes, the use of water seal
toilets, and the proper covering or screening of water supplies, rats, flies, and
mosquitoes should all be minor problems especially around living areas.
It is
recommended that the Environmental Health Division treat serious rat, fly, or
mosquito infestations on a case by case basis.
One or two sanitarians should be
trained and certified to apply restricted-use pesticides.
There is no building code in the Marshall Islands, which contributes to over
crowding and inadequate sanitation in the urbanized centers.
Note that the
number of people per dwelling unit (household) is approximately twice as high in
urban Majuro and Ebeye as in many of the outer islands (see Table 6).
recommended
that
a
building
code
be
developed
based
on
a
permit
It is
system
administered by the Environmental Health Division.
There are indications that toxic chemicals in the form of polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCB's) have contaminated a storage area (for capacitors and other
electrical
equipment)
and
the
public
works
yard
in
urban Majuro.
It
is
recommended that soil samples in the PCB spill suspect area of Majuro and some
samples of reef fish in the lagoon nearby be analyzed for PCB's to determine the
degree and extent of contamination.
Environmental
Then
in
consultation with
Protection Agency a clean-up program should begin
the U.S.
immediately
along with measures taken to eliminate the problem source of the contamination.
Specific Recommendations
1.
Associated
It is recommended that with the emergence of the status of a Freely
State
and
the
dissolution
of
the
Trust
Territory,
consideration must be given to the development of appropriate
laws,
serious
rules,
regulations and/or codes governing the activities and responsibilities of the
Environmental Health Division.
Also the various Environmental Protection Board
functions will have to be assumed by local
staff.
The assumption of these
additional responsibilities wil? result in a need for more skilled manpower.
2.
It is recommended that for any major public works development funding
be included for expatriate management until local personnel can be trained.
13