Residents of Al-Safa District are urging the authorities to move a vegetable and fruit market here to its new location in east Jeddah because of the smell of rotten produce. They said a five-person committee had already recommended that the market be moved because of the smell and possible environmental pollution caused by insecticides which may have been sprayed on the produce and can cause nerve damage, birth defects and cancer if ingested. Residents have also complained of noise pollution and congested traffic caused by the refrigerated trucks which off-load their shipments at the market. Many consumers say that there are no mayoralty inspectors to monitor operations at the market. They also urged the authorities to set up a central laboratory to examine the imported fruit and vegetables to ensure they do not contain poisons. Citizens working at the market have lodged several complaints with the responsible authorities. They claim the market is completely dominated by expatriates, including illegal aliens who operate tasattur businesses. These are small enterprises which are run by expatriates using the names of Saudis who get a piece of the profits. They complain that their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. The Regional Council, which met two weeks ago, had unanimously approved the recommendations of the five-person committee to address the market's operation, maintenance and cleanliness. This was in line with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs' conditions. __
