Commission points to noise and contamination risks of fireworks
The Church's Environment Commission said today that the people needed to be informed of the risks associated with excessive noise and air and soil pollution caused by fireworks.
In a detailed report the commission also called for tougher law enforcement to control excesses, saying Malta is paying too high a price for fireworks.
The commission said after a two-year study that the number of deaths caused by fireworks was among the highest worldwide.
A study of 14 feasts between 2006-2007 showed that an acceptable noise level of 110 dBA was exceeded several times, although the average was between 100 and 110 dBa.
Noise levels were also often excessive during ground firework displays.
"Young children, pregnant women and people in poor health clearly need to be careful not to expose themselves to these risks. There is a need for these people to be informed about these risks," the commission said.
Another risk was that caused by building development close to fireworks factories, and there was need for buffer zones to be respected, the commission said.
The commission said its studies showed that the letting off of fireworks caused soil contamination, mostly by lead, in an area up to 50 metres around the firing spot, although such contamination was not as high as caused by other sources such as pesticides, cars, and hunting.
Studies also showed an increase in the summer of fine dust (PM10) caused by a concentration of toxic metals used in fireworks. This contamination was carried by the air well beyond the villages where the feasts were celebrated.
"It is of concern that the population is being exposed for a long period of the year to metals which appear to come from fireworks" the commission said.
It called for better technical training for those who manufacture fireworks, better control on the importers of chemicals used in fireworks, and greater respect by the enthusiasts to other people. Furthermore, in view of the risks associated with it, the allocation of potassium chlorate to fireworks factories needed to be halved and eventually replaced by potassium perchlorate, which was less dangerous.
The regulations needed to control not only the power of the fireworks but also their quantity and noise produced.
The people also needed to be informed of the risks of excessive noise and the contamination of land and air.
In its studies the commission said it also found that feasts generated 520 tonnes of solid waste in Malta (excluding Gozo), which only amounted to 0.21 percent of domestic waste. They also used up to 400,000kWh of electricity, some 0.06 percent of domestic consumption, and the environmental impact was not so big. Nonetheless, every effort should be made to save electricity.
The commission said feasts were important within the social and cultural fabric but everyone needed to shoulder his responsibilities. The civil authorities should show a firmer commitment to update and enforce regulations, the media should promote national debate and the local and ecclesiastical authorities needed to ensure that the feasts created unity, rather than division.
It also urged parish priests, where possible, to stop excesses in the letting off of fireworks.
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J Zammit
Oct 4th 2008, 18:02
Thanks for the info, Mr Zahra.
I certainly didnt know about the lead pellets. I had been hoping that even the ones used in shotgun cartridges will soon be replaced by plastic shot, especially for clay-pigeon shoots where each shooter can use upwards of 50 cartridges. I have been told by a relative in the UK that he is allowed only plastic at shoots since lead is considered to be so poisonous to the environment.
Thanks again.
A Zahra
Oct 4th 2008, 07:46
@ J.Zammit
Coming back to the issue of pechlorate your misconception might be based on the fact that nowadays Ammonium Perchlorate is banned in Malta. This was due to the fact that if mixed or in contact with potassium cholrate it goes tohrough a double decomposition reaction producing a highly unstabel crystalline compound Ammonium Chlorate which at room temperature turns into a gas which can even detonate by the presence of UV rays. However someone opted to ban ammonium perchorate rather than potassium chlorate. This denying us some of the most beautiful effects in fireworls such as coloured strobe compositions and pastel smokeless compositions. A point to note ammonium percholrate is used as the main oxidizing agent in Rockert propellants used by the Military and Aerospace industries. It is just a fine white salt very similar to fine table salt.
A Zahra
Oct 4th 2008, 07:27
@ J.Zammit
no single salt by itself used in the maufacture of fire works is deemed as dangerous altough some deemed as hazrdous ie:health issues. It is when these are mixed with fuels especially metal fuels that that these become unstable. Definitely potassium perchlorate due to the higher bond energy ~~(Higher energy required for the releaseof oxygen which initiates combustion) is a much safer substitute to potassium chlorate. Normally compositions contacining potassium chlorate are extremely sensitive to friction and shock. Typically compositions containing potassium perchlorate will only combust when exposed to naked flames.
As to the case of lead. This has very little use in fireworks except for some special compositions such as crackling stars. Altough it must be pointed out that some times lead pellets such as the ones used in hunting cartridges are used as rolling cores for spherical stars used in sphericals shells such as "Blalen" and Pattern Shells.
J Zammit
Oct 3rd 2008, 19:43
Fireworks cause soil contamination by lead? Surely they mean aluminium.
And I thought potassium perchlorate was more dangerous than the chlorate, not the other was around!
Can anyone in the know confirm?
Chris Ebejer
Oct 3rd 2008, 18:47
''Nonetheless, every effort should be made to save electricity''.
What a hypocrisy, and in Qrendi the parish priest who should give an example and follow the regulations, lights on the dome and the campanile towers on every occasion, from Easter, Confirmation, Holy communion, Christmas ecc,ecc.
Traditionally it is only once a year to do so for the titular feast like any other parish Church in Malta.
Qrendi church is the only one who does started on this bright idea one year ago in times when electricity consumption bills are getting higher!
R Azzopardi
Oct 3rd 2008, 17:44
Its all about money my dear friends. In the past the Curia, churches etc collected huge amounts of money. Later band clubs were set up and people started giving contributions/sponsorships to these clubs so the Curia wasn't so pleased with this issue. Now much more people are interested in fireworks etc and are contributing/sponsoring fireworks factories and obviously the Curia is much more annoyed as they see these as their competitors.Forget all the words about contamination and noise levels .Say the thruth.The Curia is after money and that's all.
john fenech
Oct 3rd 2008, 17:15
Why is it that some bloggers find it so hard to keep to the subject? The article is about excessive noise; it does not say that fireworks should be abolished; it refers to the noise, dust and soil pollution. It recommends better training & control!
If my memory serves me right there is already a regulation about the petards noise pollution, but as usual because we are all cousins in is never enforced.
It is a fact that the Archdiocese of the Malta Environment Commission and the Pyrotechnics Commission had put recommendations which were not implemented! This was a few months after the St. Helen fireworks factory tragedy. According to a member of the P.C. these were shelved until after the election.
It is also a fact that the Explosive Committee, Civil Protection Department and The Police Force in 2004 recommended that two fireworks factories should close down since these where inside the safety distance!
Last month the authorities have nominated The Fireworks Inspectorate Unit to check about the manufacture and storage and abuse of fireworks. Maybe during the term of this legislature we will be presented with the whole package that will cover all aspects of pollution!
ray mangion
Oct 3rd 2008, 16:37
This subject has come up before; how dare the Commission write about our cultural heritage like this. Talk about pollution? Aren`t we all culprits for causing pollution? I`m sure the Commission members don`t use bikes or walk to go to work. This tradition has been here and has attributed to the islands of Malta a lot more than sand, sun and see. What about the money the Commission earns on festas and other taxes it imposes on those who want to keep our culture alive? As far as deaths are concerned, have you been asleep? Deaths happen in any profession or situations, especially anything to do with being responsible when one drives. You can`t have your cake and eat it. Those who don`t like fireworks and bells and smells, can go and live abroad.
Carlo Laurenti
Oct 3rd 2008, 16:29
Mr. Grech,
Not that your point has anything to do with the subject, but just for the record, the answer is yes. My family and I moved to the UK after our Membership to the EU was finalised.
The UK never refused entry neither did hardly any of the other European countries, to Maltese citizens, however one still had to obtain a work permit. Thanks to Malta's membership, both my wife and I had no problem in finding work.
So don't remain so closed minded for your children's sake!
David Farrugia
Oct 3rd 2008, 15:06
Is the Curia not aware that it can control everything and has the power to cancel a feast for non-compliance for the following year? This is very effective. A three-person committee set up by and reporting to the Curia will confirm whether compliance has been achieved. Control can be achieved over the amount of (air & ground) fireworks fired, the day and time let off, and the strength of fireworks. The resulting improvements will limit the damage to the environment through less noise pollution, contamination, vibration, etc.. Untold harm is being done to the aged and young and also to farms who rear animals. It is claimed that milk production from dairy cows nosedives during the loud festive season. The money saved can be given to the charities.
G.Grech
Oct 3rd 2008, 14:41
@ Carlo Laurenti
"me as a first one have taken advantage of EU membership and my family are doing very well for ourselves in the UK"
I would have expected you to stay in Malta if EU membership "is probably the best thing that ever happened to Malta since independence." And by the way, did you have to wait for EU membership for you to emigrate to the UK since as far as I know the UK never refused anyone from settling there?
Joseph Micallef
Oct 3rd 2008, 14:39
@ Ms M Bugeja.
Do we have to feel like we are in Iraq or Afganisan to hold our feasts?
J Farrugia
Oct 3rd 2008, 14:29
Village festas have been with us since time immemorial and with all the bands and claps and anything connected with them. No pregnant women ever had any trouble in giving birth to healthy children, thanks be to God Almighty. It is only you this church commission that is saying all this about dangers, exposures, etc. This is all hogwash to try to tell us that you do not love our festas. That you want to eliminate all our festas. Shame. We know your agenda but fortunately it will never work. There are thousands of laymen who will never allow our festas to be removed from our cultural calendar.
Marvin Mizzi
Oct 3rd 2008, 14:15
Can someone explain what are the Church Commissions for because I cannot understand there function. The Church in Malta is rudderless and leaderless. The Church needs a good leader before it is to late to steer her back on course.
E. Azzopardi
Oct 3rd 2008, 14:12
What has the EU got to do with this? Many of us blame the EU for not progressing fast enough as other did and are doing right now. But it is not the fault of the EU. IT IS OUR FAULT !!! We can't just sit on our laurels and expect the manna to come. That is not what the EU is all about.' U jekk se niehdu pacenzja kullhadd irid jehoda issa , mhux hekk !!!
Now for the fireworks. We knew all this for many years. We know that fireworks cause noise pollution besides air pollution. We complain about the emmissions from buses, trucks etc and never about the fireworks smoke which is worse. I am convinced that the people who prepare them do not have a clue about this. Besides all the unnecessary deaths which occurred!! Yes something must be done. But when? We are still waiting for the tough regulations after that explosion. But then everything is done in"slow motion
Miriam Maria Micallef
Oct 3rd 2008, 14:02
It is a well known fact that the Church does not organise the drinking binges at band clubs and fireworks. This is done by a few who at times are just supermarket Catholics out for a good time who care less about the saint.
The Church has many times asked for these types of abuses to be curbed but it cannot force these to stop. These are private citizens who the Church calls on every year before feasts to respect the spiritul reality of the festa.
I am glad that the Church is showing leadership here. Now we all expect that the Government to do something about these louts who drink too much and only seem to feel like real men when their petards are louder than the other town's. I say more laws, less fireworks and control the underage drinking at these festas.
Attributing these abuses to the Church is out of line.
Carlo Laurenti
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:56
The study results come to no surprise at all. This is another case where the authorities preferred not to know turning a blind eye and let ignorance reign in Malta.
As to the comments of John Debattista: Mr. Debattistta people like you are the biggest part of the problem in Malta. You are so politically blinded! EU is probably the best thing that ever happened to Malta since independence. It is thanks to EU that finally Malta is getting in place and local politicians can no longer hide behind personal interests or ignorance any further. I can assure you, me as a first one have taken advantage of EU membership and my family are doing very well for ourselves in the UK.
Such ignorance unfortunately is only found in Malta which is an embarrassement. I have nothing against fire works, I personally really like them and enjoy watching them when on holiday in Malta. However don't blame EU for setting things right! Thank God that our Kids may find Malta a better place thanks to EU bringing us up to today's standards !
George Douglas
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:52
Most of the people supporting the banning of fireworks were the same ones who remained astonished when they saw the opening ceremony of the Olympic games. Some towns in malta have achieved an excellent level of fireworks display and mqabba have even won the world championshiP. We should be honoured with this not doing everything to ban it. Finally when the Maltese excel in something ,it seems that some of the public has made it there quest to pull back those who can achieve.
n.saliba
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:52
hands off our fire works.
Arthur Magri
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:39
John Kindly read the first sentence well and dont fall in a political conclusion. Its so nice to see a fireworks display let it make it nicer by reading into detail.
Anthony
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:31
@John Mangion
Who should resign? The fact that a new parish was erected does not mean more feast and more fireworks. Some parishes even those that were erected do not have any fireworks at all. Example...have you ever heard fireworks from Ibragg, Pembroke, Iklin....
Better to be informed correctly about facts.
Mind you I'm not a fireworks enthusiast in as much as I'm not in favour of kacca etc but I understand that there are those who are.
So why don't we find a compromise?
John Debattista
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:24
These things were'nt told before the Vote for Europe, Now hudu pacenzja those who voted for european union Ha Ha................................
Ms. M. Bugeja
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:17
@Michael DeBono
Very well said Mr. DeBono, I look so much forward to feasts and Religious activities.. I live opposite fields where fireworks are let off, yes they make loud noise but its better than total silence in the village feast!! Why don't Maltese appreciate what we have rather than trying to ban everything? If we continue to stop every activity Maltese are famous for, then we can say Bye Bye to Tourism Increase!!
Joseph Micallef
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:11
Was there a need for a commission to point out the noise and contamination risk of fireworks? Was there a need for 2 years to carry out a study? Waste of time and money. We want actions now.
Francois Spiteri
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:08
What is the Church going to do about this?
Peter Green
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:05
A big well done has to be said to the church environment commission for highlighting the dangers of fireworks. We all agree that some fireworks in moderation which are less than 95db are ok to have in festas. If the petard is made around the 90db mark from a distance of 200m it is also ok in moderation.
But in reality we will need to see if the church and its parishes will apply this study. It is ultimately the church's responsability to apply some law and order in its festas especially to all the festa paganism. Cannot expect the votes reliant goverment to do the dirty work for the church.
The feasts should be enjoyed by all not only the fireworks diehards!
Michael DeBono
Oct 3rd 2008, 13:03
daqt ma jibqalna xejn iktar...
Ha jaqtghu il-Kacca, Sajd, Loghob tan-Nar, u tradizzjonijiet antiki ohra qed jispiccaw fix-xejn.
Hafna NGOs Maltin jahdmu kontrina stess. U hafna ligijiet u pressjoni mill-UE.
X'iccelebrajna l-gimgha l-ohra? L-Indipendenza? Wow. Yeah. Prosit.
John Mangion
Oct 3rd 2008, 12:55
''Young children, pregnant women and people in poor health clearly need to be careful not to expose themselves to these risks. There is a need for these people to be informed about these risks," the commission said.''
WHAT A JOKE? HOW CAN WE NOT DISPOSE OURSELVES OF THESE RISKS. THE NOISE OF FIREWORKS PENETRATES ANY NORMAL HOUSEHOLD AND I BET EVEN THE BIGGEST BANK SAFES!!! MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS TERRIFIED THIS SUMMER WITH THE CONTINOUS BANGS IN MSIDA!!! AND ISN'T IT BECAUSE OF THE CHURCH'S RELIGIOUS FEASTS THAT THERE ARE FIRWORKS. AND TO TOP IT ALL UP, SWATAR WAS JUST PROCLAIMED BY THE LOCAL CHURCH AS ANOTHER PARISH WITH ANOTHER FEAST AND MORE FIREWORKS!! WHY DON'T YOU ALL RESIGN !!!