Stop the dust

I appreciate the fact that MEP Simon Busuttil is continuing with his initiatives on dust pollution caused by construction plants. Recently, a new website was launched to raise awareness of the need to stop the dust and tensure that EU laws on air quality are adequately observed. Since its launch, over 250 people have signed the petition to express their support for this initiative to ensure that dust emissions from the construction industry are brought under control.

The second initiative was a consultation meeting on the subject, which was attended by medical experts, environmentalists, building industry representatives and representatives of different localities.

It was agreed that dust causes an inconvenience, has a polluting effect and consequently serious implications for health. Although different opinions on what causes this dust pollution were expressed, there was a positive view that solutions can be found since technology can now help reduce such emissions.

It was also agreed that most of the quarries are no longer being used for stone cutting but to produce bricks, concrete and tarmac. Since sprinklers are not enough, measures like storing all the mounds of related material in enclosed stores are feasible. This is very important since large quantities of dust are emitted from the factories, mostly because material is left exposed to the elements, especially wind.

Even the machinery used can be more environment-friendly. In fact, another important suggestion was that the government should incentivise companies that take environmental measures, especially when public tenders are issued, by being given first preference, since considerable investment is required to reach such standards.

Since Dr Busuttil has taken these initiatives, residents' complaints over the years have not gone unnoticed. Many residents, including me (The Sunday Times, January 8, 2006), had tried to raise awareness but to no avail. It's good to see that now this subject has become a national issue. It is also very encouraging to see that companies and architects who were previously reluctant to take such measures are now coming on board. I hope we can work together on this important issue.