The average annual ozone levels went up by 19 per cent between 2005 and 2006, affecting rural areas mostly and giving cause for concern, according to the third report on State of the Environment Indicators 2007, launched by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) yesterday.
Ozone is an air pollutant of major concern since levels above a certain limit have a significant impact on human health and the environment. Most of the ozone affecting Malta originates from other countries, Mepa said.
The levels rose from 85.9 micrograms per cubic metre to 102.2. This means that, in 2006, the EU eight-hour average limit value (120 micrograms per cubic metre for more than 6.8 per cent of days measured) was exceeded at 14 per cent in San Lawrenz and 9.9 per cent in Żejtun.
Another cause for concern was particulate matter, formed of fine dust particles and another major pollutant and health hazard.
Three of the four air quality monitoring stations - which are in Floriana, Kordin, Msida and Żejtun - exceeded the EU threshold for particulate matter in 2006.
The highest was Msida, which went beyond the EU limit value on 30 per cent of days measured (the EU limit is 10 per cent). The only station that did not exceed the threshold was Żejtun.
On the other hand, indicators show that a significant reduction was again recorded for sulphur dioxide, while nitrogen oxides and benzene remained within EU standards, though the average national levels went up by 12 and eight per cent respectively.
Nitrate levels at Water Services Corporation groundwater abstraction boreholes remained high. They were considered to be worrying, and more suitable agricultural practices needed to be imposed, said Mepa environment director Martin Seychell. Greenhouse gas emissions rose by 45 per cent between 1990 and 2006, with the major contributor being the energy sector (almost 83 per cent of gross national emissions in 2006).
At about two vehicles for every three persons, the number remains high, while the rising trend of importing second-hand vehicles is a matter of concern, Mepa said. The energy intensity of the economy once again increased, growing by five per cent between 2000 and 2007. Billed water consumption continued to fall by nine per cent between 2005 and 2006. Bathing waters were 95 per cent compliant with EU standards in 2007, marking a slight decrease of one per cent.
Organic farming remained low, covering a mere 0.15 per cent of agricultural land, while urban areas covered 22.3 per cent of Malta in 2006.
Vacant residences rose to 28 per cent of the dwelling stock in 2005. In the space of 10 years, they increased by 89 per cent.
Between 1995 and 2005, population in the seaside settlements of Marsascala and St Paul's Bay grew the most by 96 and 81 per cent respectively, while Qormi, Ħamrun, Valletta, Gżira and Paola lost inhabitants.
Recyclable material from bring-in sites went up by 25 per cent between 2006 and 2007, while municipal solid waste collected edged up by six per cent.
Between 2005 and 2006, total waste delivered at waste management facilities rose by 4.4 per cent. Construction and demolition waste represented 88 per cent of total waste delivered in 2006 while commercial and industrial waste dropped by seven per cent between 2005 and 2006, possibly due to increased resource efficiency.
Waste recycling increased significantly between 2005 and 2006, registering a growth of 90 per cent, with paper and board more than doubling in 2006, representing 43 per cent of recycled waste.
Policy coordinator unit manager Marguerite Camilleri considered the overall state of the environment, according to the indicators, to be "varied", with a balance emerging between the good and the bad.
The report, published in booklet form is available at www.mepa.org.mt or from the Mepa office in Floriana.