Call for publication of data on pollution at Maghtab

Friends of the Earth has called on the health authorities and resources ministry consultants to publish data on pollution at Maghtab.

Consultants Scott Wilson, who drew up a report on the Maghtab dump, were recently reported as stating that there was no contamination of the marine environment in the area of Maghtab.

"When asked about previous warnings from the health department that the seawater was contaminated and not safe for swimming, their consultant repeated that there was no evidence of contamination in the area," FoE said.

"The document prepared by the consultants on the profile of the Maghtab dump has not yet been made available, but Friends of the Earth (Malta) is quite sure that the area around Maghtab, including the sea, is polluted."

FoE has requested a copy of the entire document.

"The assortment of toxic chemicals that have been dumped at Maghtab over the past 25 years must present a serious threat to the health of all those living in the vicinity.

"FoE Malta calls on the authorities to make the entire document that Scott Wilson has produced available so that civil society and the public at large will be able to judge for themselves what sort of tests have been conducted to date as well as the findings of the consultants.

"FoE also calls on the public health authorities to make public the results of any tests they have carried out which prompted its decision to prohibit bathing at the coast around Maghtab."