Air pollution - time for action

It was very heartening to read that MEP Simon Busuttil has petitioned the European Parliament by calling for a formal investigation into the dust pollution from construction choking up certain areas of the island.

In terms of toxic pollution, the health hazard to local residents from dust generated by nearby construction plants is seriously compounded by the exhaust fumes emitted by construction machinery and heavy transport vehicles. Diesel exhaust is especially rich in fine soot particles ("particulates") and this is especially so if the engine is poorly maintained or run on inferior diesel fuel - as is often the case. These fine particles are invisible and remain suspended in the air and inhaled; such fine particulates are highly toxic and they intensify the harm to health which is being caused by the dust.

The adverse health effects of dust and diesel pollution are significantly higher in those who reside in roads where there is heavy diesel traffic, as is often the case at or near construction sites. Such pollution is further intensified in dry weather when dust is swirled up by every passing vehicle. The high levels of pollution in such areas may result in markedly increased sickness and mortality rates compared to less polluted areas.

The damaging health effects of inhaled fine particles from exhaust emissions has been consistently demonstrated in large-scale scientific studies in hundreds of thousands of people followed over many years. These include key studies such as the American Cancer Society and the Harvard Six Cities Study as well as numerous other extensive surveys in Canada and Europe. The findings led the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UK Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) to single out exposure to dust and particulate air pollution as the most potent cause of excess mortality from cardiopulmonary disease and lung cancer. Poor air quality has also been shown to seriously affect the health of growing children. In addition to exacerbation of asthma, an important consequence of exposure to air pollution is stunted lung development in growing children which persists into adulthood. A survey in Malta demonstrated that the prevalence of asthma or asthma-like symptoms in Fgura (one of our many traffic "hot spots") is the highest ever recorded internationally.

In addition to the dust and toxic diesel emissions emitted by our construction industry, there is widespread pollution in built-up areas from the copious black smoke emitted by our buses and many other diesel-powered vehicles which we (and, presumably our parliamentary ministers) see every day on our roads.

Pollution is largely preventable. People have a human right to health and this right has to be protected. Our government is failing in its duty by ignoring the threat to our health from dangerous - and avoidable - levels of pollution. The complacency of the Health Department in the face of Malta's severe pollution is difficult to comprehend. Almost every route bus and a large proportion of diesel vehicles on our roads emit black smoke. This smoke is a clear indicator of heavy and dangerous pollution at street level. This blatant pollution is so widespread that vehicles which emit smoke have come to be accepted as "normal" in Malta. Allowing such gross, in-your-face pollution by vehicles is an insult to Maltese citizens which poses a threat to the health of all - adults and children. Visible pollution by vehicles is also illegal because any vehicle which emits smoke contravenes regulations 107 and 195 of Motor Vehicles Regulations 1994. Yet no action is being taken by police or wardens to enforce the law.

The situation demands urgent attention - continuing inaction over Malta's severe pollution is nothing less than an irresponsible dereliction of the duty of our government towards the nation's health. I therefore urge Dr Busuttil to make EP President Jerzy Buzek fully aware of the situation in respect of our government's inaction over the unacceptable degree of pollution in Malta caused not only by the construction industry but also by polluting vehicles in our streets.

Dr Debono is the lead author of Towards A Low Carbon Society: The Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels published by The Today Public Policy Institute.