Residents in Tarxien area complain of black dust

Residents of Tarxien, Fgura, Żejtun and Żabbar are complaining about black dust, released from the Marsa power station, covering their roofs, yards and gardens.

Tarxien mayor Paul Farrugia was the first to raise the subject in a statement yesterday calling on the authorities to stop the power station from releasing the dust.

He said that in the past Tarxien, together with neighbouring councils, had several meetings with health authorities on this matter. Action had been taken and the situation improved.

However, a few weeks ago the dust reappeared and was covering yards and roofs in Tarxien and surrounding localities. This was very harmful to residents especially those who suffered from respiratory problems like asthma, Mr Farrugia said.

When the mayor's statement was published on timesofmalta.com, residents in other localities took the opportunity to voice their stand. Complaints came in from Fgura, Paola, Żejtun and Żabbar.

Eric Camilleri said he had a shop in Paola and the backyard's doors and windows had to be kept shut due to the "impressive amount of dust that collects there".

Noel Zarb wrote: "I live in Żabbar and our garden furniture is covered in this black dust".

Marthese Zammit, also from Żabbar, said: "I have to wash my yard twice a day and I wash my house almost every day because of the black dust... I think it's about time we live in a healthy clean environment".

The Times contacted Enemalta and asked whether anything was being done to address the residents' concerns. No replies were received at the time of writing.

EU rules that came into effect on January 1, 2008, laid down that the archaic boilers at the Marsa power station could only operate for a further 20,000 hours before ceasing operations permanently. At the latest, the plant must be shut down by 2015.

The time limit set by the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive is aimed at stemming emissions of hazardous substances that can adversely affect human health, particularly respiratory health leading to the exacerbation of asthma and chronic bronchitis.