EU sets new air quality standards

Malta will have to improve its air quality levels substantially following the approval yesterday of a directive to be observed by all the 27 member states in a few years' time.

Given the green light by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, the directive merges four directives and a Council decision.

It sets standards and target dates for reducing concentrations of fine particles, which together with coarser particles known as PM10 already subject to legislation, are among the most dangerous pollutants for human health.

Member states will be required to reduce exposure to PM2.5 in urban areas by an average of 20 per cent by 2020 based on 2010 levels. The directive gives member states flexibility in meeting some of the standards in areas where they have difficulty complying.

Meeting PM10 limit values is proving challenging for 25 of the 27 EU member states, including Malta, which are exceeding these limits in at least one part of their territory.

The deadlines for complying with the PM10 standards can be postponed for three years after the directive's entry into force (mid-2011) or by a maximum five years for nitrogen dioxide and benzene (2010-2015) provided that the relevant EU legislation such as industrial pollution prevention and control (IPPC) is fully implemented, and that all appropriate abatement measures are being taken.

One of the main culprits responsible for low air quality in Malta is the construction industry. According to a recent study on fine dust emissions in Malta, emissions from active soft stone quarries stood at some 38 times higher than the highest international recommended levels.

Construction installations such as stone quarries, cement factories and construction plants have to abide by strict emission level values based on best available techniques designed to prevent and, where not practicable, reduce emissions and the impact on the environment.

The Commission said yesterday that the new directive on air quality is one of the key measures outlined in the 2005 Thematic Strategy on air pollution adopted by the Commission in September 2005. It establishes ambitious, cost-effective targets for improving human health and environmental quality up to 2020.

Malta was represented at yesterday's meeting by Resources and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino.