Dust emissions from construction plants to be regulated next year

A system that will regulate dust emissions from construction plants is being concluded and is set to be introduced in the new year.

A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was working on addressing the matter of dust emissions released by construction plants. The proposed system will be opened to public consultation early next year.

The issue of dust emissions from construction plants was raised by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil a few weeks ago following complaints he received from Naxxar residents.

A Mepa spokesman confirmed that the regulator was planning to control dust emissions from construction plants through what is known as an Environmental Permitting System. He said Mepa agreed with Dr Busuttil in that air quality was a "national problem", adding that fine dust (PM10) concentrations in air "do exceed limit values specified in EU directives".

He explained that Mepa is carrying out studies on the typical composition of particulate matter to be able to confirm the extent of the problem and how far Malta is in achieving limit values.

A meeting has been scheduled with Dr Busuttil to discuss the possibility of an air quality test being carried out in the vicinity of the Naxxar construction plant to determine whether the air quality was in breach of EU regulations.

On November 8, Dr Busuttil had voiced Naxxar residents' concerns on the amount of airborne dust produced by a construction plant owned by Carmelo Vella Ltd located close to a residential area. Dr Busuttil said it was high time that dust emissions stemming from the construction industry are controlled and air quality improved.

When contacted, a spokesman for the company said the company was willing to cooperate with Dr Busuttil in finding a positive and concrete solution to the problem. He said that a number of remedial solutions would be implemented immediately, such as the relocation of the dust stockpile from its current place adjacent to the resident area and the wetting of sand and dust to prevent its susceptibility to wind.