Village feasts are 'too noisy and dirty'

A staggering 450 tonnes of waste are collected from village streets each year in the aftermath of the patron saint's feast, more than a quarter of the rubbish collected in Malta overall.

Glass made up the bulk of the waste (48 per cent), followed by plastic (37 per cent), especially fast food containers, paper and food leftovers (10 per cent) and metal (five per cent) in the shape of beer cans, according to a report just published by the Archdiocese's Environment Commission.

The study, which zooms in on the environmental impact of religious feasts from fireworks to waste, is sure to spark a debate at a time when feasts are in full swing.

The report starts off on the premise that feasts are an important part of the island's culture, way of life and tourism. However, the commission feels that a genuine effort should be made to control the excesses that exist.

One of the issues that struck a discordant note was the noise level of fireworks, which, in certain instances, was much higher than the acceptable maximum of 120 decibels - levels that basically translate into the sound generated by a plane during take-off.

Commission chairman Victor Axiak pointed out that there were no international standards or regulations limiting the acceptable noise levels of fireworks, but a number of countries had developed their own and these varied between 112 and 120 decibels.

However, several experts insist that the maximum level of noise permitted should not exceed 115 decibels. In some cases, feasts in Malta came out with a big bang that surpassed all acceptable limits, sometimes peaking at 130 decibels. This was especially so in the case of cracker shells (murtali tal-beraq), which were four times more powerful than colour shells (murtali tal-kulur) and nearly twice as powerful as maroons (bombi) and the opening barrage (bombi tas-salut).

The commission is calling for regulations that would set limits on the different kinds of shells that can be let off at particular hours, as well as the noise levels permissible.

The noise levels were monitored last year during eight feasts and over 5,000 recordings were taken from among the crowd.

Excessive noise meant pregnant women, children, the old and sick were suffering as a consequence, as well as those who fired these shells and those who enjoyed feasts and watched numerous village fireworks throughout the year.

The blast and tremors caused by powerful shells could also potentially damage frescoes and paintings adorning the inside of church cupolas.

The report also highlights the fact that the production of fireworks involved the use of a number of chemicals - a total of 200 tonnes a year.

This included a considerable amount of sulphur as well as potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate. A full assessment of the risk to air quality from fireworks had to be undertaken.

The report pointed to the loss of life as a result of fireworks-related accidents -14 people died (19 per cent of whom were 16 years old or under) and 38 others sustained injuries between 1997 and 2006.

It is interesting to note that 18 per cent of the incidents were a result of possession or illegal manufacture of fireworks, 56 per cent happened at the fireworks factory during the preparatory work, and four per cent when fireworks are let off.

Compared to the international rate of accidents caused as a result of fireworks, Malta has quite a high incidence with 14.8 accidents for every one million people. In the UK it is 17 incidents for every million but in Greece it is substantially lower with one for every million while in Ireland it is 2.2.

The report refers to a study, conducted among the public by a B.Sc student for his dissertation, which showed that the three major sources of noise that bothered people were those generated by traffic, construction and fireworks.

In the light of the study it undertook, the commission is recommending that the criteria for granting a licence for the production and firing of pyrotechnics be stricter and more objective. It is also suggesting that abuse should not be tolerated and that licensees be monitored regularly, every fireworks factory should appoint a safety officer, and refresher courses should be organised for those who manufacture and let off fireworks.

"The commission is certain that through the cooperation of all involved, any excesses and risks arising from our feasts may be controlled so as to ensure their true Christian identity will be retained and enhanced," the report concluded.

Copies of this report can be obtained from the Pastoral Secretariat at the Curia, Floriana. Call on 2590 6506 or send an e-mail to pastoral.secretariat@maltachurch.org.mt

www.maltachurch.org.mt