David Schembri
Air pollution levels exceed EU standards
Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
Air pollution in Malta has been exceeding limits specified by the EU's Air Quality Framework Directive, according to a report by the Infrastructure Ministry.
The report focused on three pollutants: benzene, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. It is based on data collected throughout various localities since Malta's entry into the EU right up to 2008.
Nitrogen dioxide, emitted by both petrol and diesel vehicles, increased in concentration between 2004 and 2007 and there are indications that this is due to an increased number of vehicles. Benzene, a carcinogenic substance emitted from petrol-powered cars, exceeded acceptable levels in Sliema, Floriana, Birkirkara and Ħamrun, where traffic measures are being proposed in order to cut pollution levels at certain times. St Anne's Street, in Floriana recorded a spike in benzene levels throughout the festive season owing to the increase in traffic towards Valletta for Christmas shopping.
Other excesses were recorded in particulate matter emissions, which are largely caused by diesel-powered cars. The biggest pollution levels were recorded at the Msida air monitoring station, with the daily limit value being exceeded 56 times last year, 21 times more than the allowed value of 35. The report makes various proposals to address the situation, ranging from straightforward measures such as reducing vehicle emissions by regulating exhaust from polluting vehicles, enforcing fuel quality control and fiscal incentives for vehicles with cleaner technologies to less obvious changes such as having temporary lane conversion where a direction variable lane would become an additional lane in the direction of heavy traffic flow.
It also recommended the promotion of car pooling and sharing, an increase in the bus fare on routes where pollution thresholds were being exceeded, a certification exercise for all roadworthy test stations and spot checks and the improvement of alternative modes of transport such as ferries, electric cabs and taxis. Moreover, it suggested shifting road works and waste collection to off-peak hours, the modification of the existing government car fleet, encouraging tele-working and e-commerce to reduce congestion and an adjustment of school times, again to ease congestion.
The document emphasises the fact that such measures hinge on a radical public transport reform, which should come to fruition in 2010, acknowledging that people would not be willing to forsake the use of their personal vehicle unless an efficient public transport system were in place.
The report, which is open for public consultation, is available at www.mitc.gov.mt.
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...
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Nigel Lawrence
Sep 29th 2009, 21:53
Air pollution levels exceed EU standards----------
and WHO is going to anything about it?. In short, nobody.
adrian gatt
Sep 29th 2009, 21:07
The Sliema Residents Association (SRA) has been voicing this concern for
some time now and one of the ways to mitigate this pollution problem is to
stop increasing residential units (not only in Sliema) and a holistic
traffic plan to help shift people's habit from using the car (me included).
The sharp rise in residential units and entertainment complexes within
Sliema (which to date are not operating yet) have still to leave their mark
on the pollution levels in Sliema and BEYOND.
diana cottis
Sep 29th 2009, 18:22
There won't be any improvement in air quality until the VRT tests are carried out properly on all vehicles. The government could implement a car scrappage scheme as an incentive for people to replace the oldest and most polluting cars. Making unleaded petrol much cheaper than leaded might help to encourage drivers to convert their cars to take unleaded. A modern fleet of buses to replace the old smokers would make an immediate difference, but I suspect the much higher fares would send many people back to their cars.
A Cutajar
Sep 29th 2009, 14:02
"Moreover, it suggested shifting road works and waste collection to off-peak hours, the modification of the existing government car fleet, encouraging tele-working and e-commerce to reduce congestion and an adjustment of school times, again to ease congestion".
Teleworking should not be only 'encouraged'!!
Those in decision-making roles should be bold enough to work for long-term stability in industrial relations between employees and their respective employers. Teleworking is an arrangement which is built on MUTUAL trust where employees strive to complete their pre-assigned tasks whilst being granted better time management opportunities enabling them to be in a better position to secure quality caring their offspring. Concurrently, employers receive even better quality work from their staff with the added benefit of retaining their coveted human resource which is not easy to train nowadays in view of economic and financial recession.
Society will also have a positive cascading effect as the publishing of the air pollution report attests.
Act now before it is too late!
adrian gatt
Sep 29th 2009, 12:57
Those residents who wish to know more about Sliema Residents Association (SRA) pls send an email to sliemaresidentsa@gmail.com or by post to SRA PO Box 66 Sliema. An AGM will be held on Thursday 22nd October at 7:30pm at Salesians Oratory infront of St Patrick's.
See you there.
Joe Morana
Sep 29th 2009, 12:26
This report confirms the Sliema residents' concerns regarding hazardous air pollution levels in Sliema caused mainly by over development which generated and precipitated the Sliema precarious motor traffic problems.
Some of the proposals mentioned to address the emssions problems have been voiced year in year out with the authorities including MEPA repeatedly turning a blind and lending deaf ears to the residents' complaints.
Adding insult to injury the "authorites" are requesting the EU to extend the period for Malta's meet its EU envrionmental commmitments by a furher 18 months; exempted old buses from more rigourous emisisons test; increased the legal levels of emssions from power stations and consistently every day turning a blind eye to polluting buses, other commercial vehicles etc.
I strongly bleieve that a report by the Infrastructure Ministry was only drawn up as a result and in fear of the European Commissions punitive sanctions . Actions speak louder than words.
H dempster
Sep 29th 2009, 11:59
What about the constructions machinery being utilized in Sliema. Arent they also contaminating our little what left of air?
g. scerri
Sep 29th 2009, 11:46
having temporary lane conversion where a direction variable lane would become an additional lane in the direction of heavy traffic flow - what happens when all lanes converge on a roundabout?
C Micallef
Sep 29th 2009, 11:35
"... and an adjustment of school times, again to ease congestion." I like this measure.