Pollution from the Tynes Bay Incinerator has increased in over the past few years, a report released yesterday revealed.

The Environmental Statistics Compendium, released by the Department of Statistics, said nitrogen dioxide emissions at Tynes Bay were 353.3 milligrams per cubic metre in 2019 compared to 259.3 milligrams per cubic metre in 2015.

The levels of sulphur dioxide were at 69.4 milligrams per cubic metre two years ago compared to 52.6 in 2015.

Levels of particulates were more than three times higher at 39.6 milligrams per cubic metre in 2019 than the 11.9 milligrams per cubic metre found in 2015.

But the report said that pollutant levels were mostly inside safe limits.

One chart for 2019 showed that levels breached the safety parameters in August before a return to safe levels in September.

The report also showed that Bermuda’s mean daily temperatures remained around the same over the five year period.

The daily mean temperature was 72.8F at the lowest, including in 2019, and 73F at the highest in 2016.

Electricity use dropped significantly over the period – 590.4 million kWh in 2015 and falls recorded every year to the to 554.1 million kWh used in 2019.

Wayne Furbert, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “There are more than 40 statistical tables which provide a wealth of data about Bermuda’s environmental conditions.

“This publication is an excellent tool for research, school projects and promoting awareness about issues affecting Bermuda’s environment.”

Other statistics from the 2018 to 2019 showed an increase in environment-related diseases.

Cases of acute bronchitis increased by 3.9 per cent from 5,568 people in 2018 to 5,786 people in 2019.

Respiratory diseases accounted for 5,071 – 87.6 per cent – of the total reported cases of environmentally-related diseases in 2019.

Fish landings totalled 306.6 metric tonnes in 2019, an increase of 3.8 per cent on the previous year.

Species such as tuna, groupers, jacks and snappers were the most landed fish in 2019.

There were 2,620 fires reported in 2019, an increase of 24.6 per cent on the previous years.

Most of the fires – 41.3 per cent – were classed as structural fires, a category that also included false alarms.

The amount of waste generated totalled 86,400 metric tonnes in 2019, a 7.9 per cent drop on the 93,800 metric tonnes recorded the year before.

Household waste accounted for one third of the total trash generated in 2019.

The report, which covers 2015 to 2019, features 13 sections with brief analysis, tables and graphs for each.

PDF copies of the 2020 Environmental Statistics Compendium can be found at www.gov.bm/environmental-statistics-compendium.