But Bermuda's just retired chief environmental health officer appeared to blink with surprise.

"Quite honestly I can't say what things will be like in even 10 years. It's just so difficult to predict.'' Perhaps Mr. Patrick Mayers had stared into the abyss -- at a Bermuda where global warming had taken a ghastly toll -- and was not letting on.

Or, perhaps, such uncertainty stemmed from the monumental environmental changes to Bermuda over the years.

For since joining Government in 1960, Mr. Mayers' Bermuda has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Gone are many of the open spaces. And the dairy farms have been whittled down to a mere handful, drying up the supply of fresh milk.

In stark contrast, the amount of sewage to wrestle with has multiplied appallingly quickly.

And more and more traffic clogs the roads, spewing out filth into Bermuda's once clean air.

Demand for man's most precious resource -- water -- has also soared.

Not that all the changes smack of Armageddon, of course. Far from it. But it just seems that way.

"The reason behind many of them is the increase in population. What to do about it is a different matter,'' said Mr. Mayers, an admission which must stick in the craw for a natural problem-solver.

"Quite honestly I don't know what the answer is. It is probably the biggest problem facing Bermuda.'' He added cheerfully, however: "One of the good changes is that Bermudians are very much more environmentally aware these days.

"They take a far greater interest in what is happening around them, which I believe is to be welcomed.

"People are more concerned with such matters as pollution and demand higher standards.'' Amid all the uncertainty one thing is certain. All the changes over the years meant Mr. Mayers was constantly busy during his reign as environmental health chief.

As he pointed out: "Virtually all of what we do has an impact on the environment in some way or other.'' The job certainly lived up to all his expectations.

From his first day of work in England to his retirement in Bermuda earlier this year, he has no regrets.

"I've really enjoyed it. Helping people made the job incredibly rewarding.

It's been so satisfying.'' Born in England, the young Mr. Mayers left technical college set for a career in the construction industry.

From construction to environmental health -- the link seemed obvious to an ambitious young man.

After seven years in England as a public health inspector, he flew to Bermuda in 1960. His promotion to chief environmental health officer came in March, 1975.

Although he has already stepped down, officially he retires on November 25 this year.

His 18-year reign has been a frenetic battle to keep on top of change.

With the population explosion demands on public services have risen inexorably bringing a host of problems in train.

As chief trouble-shooter Mr. Mayers found himself on a non-stop rollercoaster of checking, solving, mitigating, monitoring, and, crucially, checking again.

As he looks back, Mr. Mayers can claim some significant achievements.

Standards across the board have risen markedly, with a system of regular checks brought in.

Restaurants and hotels, for instance, have had to remain on their toes, with food and kitchen equipment coming under fierce scrutiny.

The close attention has paid off -- food poisoning cases have become a rarity.

Dentists and vets too have been put on their guard to ensure they keep their X-ray equipment scrupolously clean.

Mr. Mayers was also behind probes into asbestos, roof paints, and, most recently, the potentially dangerous natural gas, radon.

One victory has given Mr. Mayers particular pleasure.

He has kept the Island free of a dangerous pest -- the Aedes Egypti mosquito.

The insect can cause yellow fever and dengue fever, both of which were prevalent here many years ago.

Bermuda's Airport and docks were scoured regularly to defeat the bug, said Mr.

Mayers with pride.

A vast wealth of experience behind him, Mr. Mayers has also been keen to give Bermudians the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.

And in 1975 he was behind the launch of a training scheme for Bermudians, which saw them go overseas to get the best qualifications.

"It's something I take some satisfaction from. I wanted to see young Bermudians pushed in the right direction.'' All in all, not a bad legacy for the father-of-three to leave behind as he settles into retirement at his Hamilton Parish home with his wife, Mohini Maria.

RAISING STANDARDS -- Mr. Patrick Mayers.