The Environmental Health Department of the Public Health Ministry (SESPAS) may close the Sal Dominicana works in the Las Calderas sector of Baní. SESPAS has given the company until 5 May to address a series of environmental contamination problems identified by the Ministry or else face closure. SESPAS’ principal concerns are that the company is (1) incorrectly utilizing an irrigation canal in its salt processing operations, in the process endangering consumers of the company’s salt; (2) harming the local environment, including the famous Baní dunes, by discharging wastes waters without first treating them. On the former, SESPAS spokesman Alexis Agramonte explained that the irrigation canal contains many contaminants from agricultural use which may not be properly eliminated in the salt sold to consumers. On the latter, he noted that not only wastewater, but petroleum wastes have been discharged by the firm, harming local flora and fauna.
