Government urged to trace source of black dust
The government was this morning urged to establish the source of black soot-like dust which has been found in Tarxien, Fgura, Paola, and nearby localities.
The appeal was made by Opposition environment spokesman Leo Brincat at a press conference with the mayors of the localities.
The mayors said this was a problem which had been recurring for years and was most serious in summer. They said that months ago they sent samples to Mepa but were not told where the dust had originated from.
Mr Brincat said this situation should not be allowed to continue. The source of the dust needed to be established and political responsibility should be shouldered.
He insisted that Enemalta needed to install automated measuring systems on its power station chimneys in Marsa and Delimara to monitor the presence of particles in its emissions.
Last week the mayor of Tarxien indicated the Marsa power station as the possible source of the dust but Enemalta in a statement said there had been no increase in emissions.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
11 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Nigel Lawrence
Aug 1st 2009, 21:48
Instead of pointing fingers at a possible culprit, couldn't any competant lab analyse a sample of this stuff and establish it's origin, or is that taking common sense a bit too far?
C Borg
Aug 1st 2009, 19:51
The source of this dust could also be from Mt Etna as has been the case in the not so distant past.
jesmond zammit
Aug 1st 2009, 17:39
waste of time.
ACTION all we need
martin buttigieg
Aug 1st 2009, 16:10
The black dust is also at hamrun, on our cars, in our yards and most probably already inside our lungs, could this cause cancer or not ? .
Kieron O'connor
Aug 1st 2009, 16:10
Enough with the "Black Dust".
Educate the people.
Its "Soot".
Soot is unburnt fuel.
Unburnt fuel from power stations occurs with inefficient combustion.
The Soot is the tip of the ice berg, it is a symptom of the bigger problem of the hazzardous invisible emissions emiting from the power station. The reason it is being closed down in 2015.
Soot is a carcinogen, i.e. it increases the risk of cancer.
Soot = Inefficient Combustion = Hazzardous Emissions = Power Station closed down in 2015.
The path is clear, they are trying to spend as little as possible and milk it until 2015 at the cost of the health of the whole of the island.
Get your ellected politicians to hold people accountable, it will be the whole island who pays for the health care of those who suffer from cancer as a result.
Your ellected politicians are accountable to you. Enemalta is accountable to your politicians and you the bill paying clients.
Mark Piscopo
Aug 1st 2009, 15:31
This black dust is causing a lot of health damages to people who live in the South of Malta.Hope that the PN strategy team instead of trying to bring their target Dr Muscat out of power with false allegations try to solve these issues.
vince cachia
Aug 1st 2009, 13:25
They used to blame Malta Drydocks for grit blasting on their roofs!!! Now this is all finished! Malta drydocks is not any more! Even our faithful dogs and cats left the place!!!
Justin Tonna
Aug 1st 2009, 13:19
It is disgusting that this issue is shelved.
My yards are constantly being filled with this dust and the government won't answer what it is? My two year old and dog are kept inside and not allowed to play in the yards until I know what is falling into them - but apparently I am only a vote so I don't count until election time.
It is throughly disgusting that this problem is left unchecked. Are we still in the dark ages? Or worse, does the government really know what this stuff is but is hiding it to prevent lawsuits?
Their total lack of action certainly indicates that...
Perhaps they could do me the favour of bypassing my house when knocking for votes - I'll be too busy washing my yards to head to the polling station
Ray Buhagiar
Aug 1st 2009, 13:14
Don't hold your breath!
J.Azzopardi
Aug 1st 2009, 13:11
I live in Mosta. On our roof top and yard we only get normal dust which is typical of our island.
My parents live in Qormi. On their roof top they get normal dust plus dirt from traffic pollution.
My close friends live in Paola. On their roof top they get normal dust plus dirt from traffic pollution but most noticably is the dark black dirt which is evidently heavy particles and not simple dust. Therefore something is wrong in this southern area and although not necessarily an Enemalta source there are various industries and activities that could be the cause of this inconvenience and potentially hazardous fallout. Also may I ask what is the occassional foul smell in the evenings in Paola / Santa Lucia area.
Kevin Farrugia
Aug 1st 2009, 12:30
We need this problem sorted out as soon as possible. If the Govt refuses to establish the source of the black soot-like dust, then the citizens of the hit localities should unite (no matter what party they support) and take legal action and ask for compensation. If the Govt identifies the source of this dust, then action will be taken against the source of origine.
You have to live in one of these localities to understand what a horrible situation this is! Apart from the health hazard that this is causing us.
THIS MUST STOP NOW!