Living with pollution (1)

Much has been said and written about the high rate of pollution and dust in the atmosphere. No wonder the percentage of asthma sufferers here is one of the highest in the EU. The quantity of dust in the air is three times the normal. Much has been said and promised but very little, or practically nothing, has been achieved.

For people living in a main road, like Republic Street in Victoria, pollution has simply become part of our daily existence. One is condemned to bear it day after day. Detailed reports have been published in The Times about the number of trucks, mixers, tractors, trailers and the rest that go up and down the street, leaving a trail of pollution including smoke, dust and noise. Many of these vehicles are overloaded with debris and uncovered. Their roadworthiness is questionable.

One wonders what happened to the once proposed ring road that would have eliminated such heavy traffic from the centre of Victoria. It is really shameful that all the authorities, including the local and the central government, allow these heavy vehicles to pass through at all times of the day, through crowds of tourists.

The inhabitants of Republic Street have to bear the brunt of all this. I would like to take a cue from the interview with Alfred Vella, head of the Chemistry Department and Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University for the last eight years, that was published in this paper. Prof. Vella is quoted as saying: "Badly maintained diesel engines are particularly nasty in that they fill the air with black dust that settles very slowly and gets inhaled during breathing". And further down: "Cars and trucks belching black smoke should be regarded for what they really are: Disease machines-on-wheels!". Further on: "Wardens should spend more time booking these offenders and less time picking on easier and relatively harmless targets, such as spotting the parked car without its paper clock showing".

In fact, I have yet to see a warden booking an offender of a vehicle emitting foul exhaust. They can see for themselves the heavy vehicles that parade along the roads all day.

One final quote from Prof. Vella: "People who spend their lives largely indoors, such as cloistered nuns, are being exposed to the substance to the same degree as university students". Staying inside does not really offer serious protection from bad air! No wonder that living in such streets as Republic Street in Victoria is a real hazard.