In a week that has seen the publication of a report on the mortality rate in
Spain, the Bucket Brigade was launched in Gibraltar and Spain. This
comprised of four days of training as well as three separate presentations
outlining the concept and practical application of the bucket sampling
method and how this has been done in other parts of the world.
The ESG organized talks that were given by Denny Larson to students at the
Bayside and Westside schools and these were very well received.
TRAINING
The training for the ESG and other group representatives saw a combination
of bucket building workshops and classroom sessions and proved to be very
instructive to those who participated. The ESG, GWA and GONHS attended and
representations were made by members of three Spanish organizations involved
in health and environmental matters. Sampling protocol and techniques as
well as quality control and assurance was covered and field trips were made
to pollution hotspots in Spain and Gibraltar. Denny Larson is obviously
someone well used to dealing with industrial polluters and mainstream
authorities and has answers to many of the tactics and strategies which
could be used to challenge future bay bucket brigade findings.
A Press Release adds: One field trip included a visit to the worst affected
neighborhood in Puente Mayorga where the Gibraltarian contingent including
Mr Larson, were greeted by numerous residents who were then given a
practical demonstration of the bucket sampling technique. Much support was
pledged by the residents who are quite fed up and fearful for their health.
Indeed in what appeared to the Gibraltarians present as being a very strong
smell of chemicals, this was perceived as minor by the residents claiming it
was usually much worse and almost always at night.
On Tuesday night Mr Larson gave a final presentation in Gibraltar which
could have been better attended, but nevertheless saw more people joining
the brigade and learning firsthand how this campaign can positively improve
chronic pollution we are all living in.
IMPORTANCE
Due to the importance of the Bucket Brigade and its potential significance
in challenging the manner in which industry operates in the bay, the ESG, Mr
Larson and Spanish brigade partners have been called to give interviews to
three Spanish television networks in Puente Mayorga at a housing complex
that overlooks the chimneys of the refinery plant and which are in the
frontline of the foulest emissions from the plant.
"We urge all those who have pledged financial support to please do so now as
we need to afford as many samples as necessary to obtain the evidence of
industrial malpractice and hazardous emissions," they say.
Denny Larson leaves Gibraltar today and the ESG is very grateful to him for
the tools and expertise he has imparted to the group to embark on its goal
of pollution reduction in this area. | 
