Albert M. Bezzina
Air quality: An alternative agenda
Martin Seychell, head of the Environment Directorate at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, underplayed the role of power stations in the contribution to poor air quality during a press briefing (July 27). The exception is the swathe of towns and villages lying in the path of their fallout plume!
Mr Seychell often uses the term “cars” when referring to road transport. The (licensed) car fleet has exceeded 23,0000 and not 300,000. As in previous official press releases, commercial vehicles remain an invisible entity in spite of their overwhelming contribution to poor urban air quality. Public transport emissions’ share is less than three per cent of emissions from commercial vehicles, yet the authorities have placed buses in the line of fire – no doubt to influence public opinion and gain popular support to implement the necessary changes needed to rebuild a new service. The consequences of this belated attempt to establish a decent service has only the authorities and the service providers to blame.
There is a noticeable change in style from previous press (spin) releases. Emissions from diesel road vehicles (predominantly commercial vehicles) are conspicuously underplayed. There is absence of any reference to particulate emissions and a love affair with quoting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions has blossomed. This is not without reason. Airborne particulates remain a major health risk and those emitted from road transport are predominantly derived from politically inconvenient diesel commercial vehicles which in 2008 emitted 90 per cent of road transport particulate emissions. Particulates, it seems, have fallen out of favour as a justification to curb “cars” from the roads.
Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of acid rain but neutralise undesirable ozone at street level. They are irritants of mucus membranes (eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract). NOx emissions, created by any combustion process, are related to fuel consumption and engine technology. All road vehicles emit nitrogen oxides but disproportionately more by older and heavy vehicles. Commercial vehicles account for 76 per cent of total road transport NOx emissions, “cars” emit 23 per cent. Mr Seychell must be preaching his superior’s agenda. “Curbing cars” is their definitive solution to improving air quality! In a dictatorial scenario where “more measures are taken to wean people off their private car”, a 50 per cent reduction in private car use would lead to reduction in NOx by a nominal 13 per cent and particulates by 4.5 per cent. How is this going to lower the annual average NOx concentration to less than 40µg/m3 if commercial vehicles seem to remain an unmentionable pollutant source?
Average yearly emissions in localities where NOx is monitored showed peak levels in 2007 and marked reductions in 2008. Figures for 2009 may confirm the diminishing trend. In 2007, annual average NOx concentration at Msida was 52µg/m3 (30 per cent above the limit of 40µg/m3). The 2008 value (60.8µg/m3) of 52 per cent above the limit reportedly given by Mr Seychell may be misquoted!
Public transport operation is being contended by two consortia (one became a preferred bidder) with interests by two of the most successful Maltese entrepreneurs. Their interest in a service which shows consistent gains only in public unpopularity leaves me without words. I assume that profit, not charity, is the motive for bidding for the contract. I cannot believe that business acumen can endeavour to get involved in Malta’s public transport system unless authorities have given assurances that restrictions and regulations will be created that will literally shovel motorists onto public transport.
Mr Seychell’s impatient solution to reduce nitrogen oxides (more measures would be taken on drivers of passenger cars) is incompatible with what should be his science-based unit. His remark could more likely be heard from spokesmen for the Ministry of Transport or Ministry of Finance. Such sabre-rattling can only be interpreted as a preamble to manoeuvres meant to ensure ample profits to the winning bidder and not to improve urban air quality. If the latter was the case, “measures” contemplated on private passenger car use would have a greater effect on improving air quality if commercial vehicles are conspicuously included in such measures.
Public transport reform promises to provide mobility with a modern and efficient service but many remain sceptical. A “modal shift” is being prayed for; commuters freely opting to use public instead of personal transport. Official interventions to restrict only passenger car use can be interpreted as favouring a monopolistic commercial service provider. The car pollution card is wearing thin. Mr Seychell asserts that “it will not be enough to raise the emission standards of new vehicles to improve air quality”. In fact what has been needed for years is raising the emission standards of old vehicles. For several decades, fiscal policies imposed on passenger car imports and a blind eye turned towards the more polluting commercial vehicle fleet (with an even higher average age) has insidiously led to the state we are in.
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Astrid Vella
Aug 4th 2010, 23:13
@ P Camilleri
PART 1: What on earth makes you think I don't care about the exhaust being pumped into the air in Tower Road? Have you asked Sliema Local Council how many meetings I've attended along with members of the Sliema Residents' Association and Qui si Sana Residents Association, in the hope of pushing the authorities to take the necessary measures, especially re. Tower Road and Rue d'Argens?
I have even gone to the extent of entering shops on Tower Road which keep their doors open and advised the salesgirls about the importance of keeping their doors shut and the exhaust out.
We have also asked ADT for meetings repeatedly and roped in some of the big players in the area, all of whom have an interest in a healthier, more attractive Sliema, but all in vain as it is not Astrid Vella but ADT who is not interested in the health of residents, shoppers and workers in the Tower Road area.
I suggest that before you lash out for reasons known only to yourself, you first check your facts.
Astrid Vella
Aug 4th 2010, 23:13
PART 2:
As for my alleged exaggerations, the information I quoted was only a fraction of the information delivered by Dr. Catherine Witherspoon, former Director of Air Quality, brought over for an FAA lecture by the US Embassy. Had you attended it, you would have learnt that 25% of the cardiac deaths in California have been found to be due to exposure to toxic emissions during the previous 5 days.
And back your comments, while I have and will continue to raise this issue, my primary concern is poor air quality in not just in Tower Road but all over Malta and Gozo. I also point out that I do not have have any exclusivity on campaigning on these issues and since you are rightly upset by this local situation, I suggest you take up the campaign; certainly FAA will give you all the backing you need.
George Debono
Aug 4th 2010, 14:23
p camilleri
Continues.
As to your remark ", how much more are people in Tower Road prone to illnesses? They are directly exposed to intense pollution every day.
The risk is about equal to that of smoking cigarettes.
Now you don't see people falling over dead in the streets from cigarette (or passive) smoking. But if you did statistics (what is known as an "epidemeological survey) - you would see that smokers tend, for instance, to get heart attacks more often and to die earlier from various causes. This was not noticed until a statistician showed that cigarette smokers were tended to die younger than non-smokers. And then there is the cancer.............
Ergo - if you live in Sliema, say at Balluta, or work in the shopping area on Tower road - then you chances of getting cancer are higher (up to 20% depending on the severity of the pollution)
You really must see the scientific evidence of this in Part IV of the report. As it is, you don't know what you are talking about.
George Debono
Aug 4th 2010, 12:15
p camilleri
1) RE"……….While you defend Astrid, the people in Tower Road will continue to inhale exhaust on a daily basis…"
Defending Astrid is and the people in Tower Road inhaling fumes are two SEPARATE issues.
2) RE……."nobody is willing to do anything about it……."
Now that's rich! If this is really so then "Nobody" includes you!
,
You are anyway wrong. In case you didn't notice, NGOs like FAA and individuals like Albert Bezzina (and me) have been campaigning against pollution for years. But the Govt is not interested in anything that does not deliver cash (like warden fines or property development).
3)RE…….."Astrid’s tendency to exaggerate on everything, how much more are people in Tower Road prone to illnesses? They are directly exposed to intense pollution every day."
Well this shows how little homework you have done.
Put briefly: in a polluted area 1) life span is shortened, 2) lung development in children is impaired 3)there is a greater frequency of heart and lung disorders including CANCER.
If you don't believe this read PART IV (page 77 omwards) of "Towards a Low Carbon Society - the Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels" avaailabe on http://www.tppi.org.mt/cms/index.php/reports .
Continues............
p camilleri
Aug 3rd 2010, 23:46
G. Debono
While you defend Astrid, the people in Tower Road will continue to inhale exhaust on a daily basis and nobody is willing to do anything about it.
Astrid claims that asthmas, cancers and heart conditions are widespread in Malta because of pollution. Apart from Astrid’s tendency to exaggerate on everything, how much more are people in Tower Road prone to illnesses? They are directly exposed to intense pollution every day.
George Debono
Aug 4th 2010, 14:31
p camilleri
RE "…………….does not notice that shop assistants, shoppers and residents along Tower Road, just off the Ferries, are subject to astronomical levels of exhaust. This is just a few metres away from her home and yet she does not notice.
What do you mean by this? OF course NGOs are aware of the pollution situation - including that of Tower Road. Yes there is immense congestion in this road - Though you may not have noticed, FAA and others have been bringing this to the notice of MEPA and ADT but to no avail.
Everybody notices, but few care - and even fewer are prepared to do anything about it. Please do not criticize if you are not prepared to do something yourself.
Maybe you can help NGOs bring the message across?
George Debono
Aug 3rd 2010, 21:05
p camilleri
RE ….."If Astrid were serious about other people’s health, she would be campaigning to stop the use of this part of Tower Road for traffic"
Well, Fancy that!
I can assure you that Astrid is "Serious about other people’s health" - So am I and lots of ther people who are active in various NGOs (non-governmental organisations. I ampersonally trying to get people out of their cars and get them to walk more or, dare I say it?, cycle instead of using a car. Do YOU walk or use public transport or a bicycle in preference to a car?
Astrid is not only "Serious about other people’s health" but also is serious about LOTS of other things such as the unsustainable development our dysfunctional Government is up to in the pursuit of more money.
Astrid, and many others, work very, very hard but there is simply too much to cope with - and too few Volunteers.
So, Mr Camilleri, please don't criticize OTHER people about not being "Serious about other people’s health" get serious this yourself and DO SOMETHING. Why not Join FAA and become active rather than sitting on the fence and making stupid comments?
cassar i
Aug 3rd 2010, 18:55
Pt 2 Thus one cannot compare our geographic to that of Milan for example as one had mentioned sometime ago. With regards to new cars aren’t going to solve any problems well for those who are outdated, modern vehicles are fitted with a EGR systems which recycles part of the exhaust , thus lowering combustion temperature and thus Nox. With regards to diesel engines special Nox converters are becoming available apart from particulate matter (soot) filters which vary from ceramics to centrifugal filters and water trap systems.As regards to wean off people from their private cars please tell it to the working mothers who have to take the kids to school, pick up maybe errands etc in just a limited time- do it with public transport. So please TM and others stop giving us crap any more. I think its high time to form a Motorist Club.
Cassar I
Aug 3rd 2010, 18:54
PT 1 : Well said Mr Bezzina. It is crystal clear for those who follow that the Authority’s sole intention is to blame the motorist and force them to use public transport. They try to grab to all possible means and will do all that is possible to force people to use public transport . In the future will see a lot of restrictions and fuel taxes etc. Public transport should be in direct competition to other modes of transport and not a dictatorship .I recall the ministers statement that widening roads and creating parking is not the way forward and will not solve problems. Well it’s the way forward and will solve problems (I can advice if they do not have any idea how, no problem) but either the authority has its agenda or the people involved are incompetent. To add on a more practical rather that scientific statement when one considers that in 365 days we have 300 windy days and that the islands are so small and surrounded by water I wonder how accurate the date submitted are correct. i.e the air is circulated instantly,(excl soot which "floats"). PT 2
p camilleri
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:56
Astrid does not notice that shop assistants, shoppers and residents along Tower Road, just off the Ferries, are subject to astronomical levels of exhaust. This is just a few metres away from her home and yet she does not notice.
As cars, buses and heavy vehicles struggle up Tower Road in congested traffic they spout their poison DIRECTLY onto the people and into shops. Does the health of these people matter? These poor people are one step short from having straws stuck up their nostrils with vehicle exhaust pumped through them.
If Astrid were serious about other people’s health, she would be campaigning to stop the use of this part of Tower Road for traffic.
John Micallef
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:48
Excellently put, Mr. Bezzina, very valid arguments.
Astrid Vella
Aug 3rd 2010, 10:52
Re "The absence of any reference to particulate emissions" - the people who count seem to all be in denial about this. The authorities' awareness seems as low as the pedestrians' awareness of being gassed and sickened is high. What is stopping the Ministry of Transport from pushing its enforcers out on the streets to book the bus and truck offenders? God knows they're arrogant enough with the little man. The answer is of course known to all. The bus and truck drivers must be appeased at all costs, while we and our asthmas, cancers and heart conditions can go to hell.
Would all who value their health and that of Malta's children, please sign the petition against air pollution at: http://www.faa.org.mt/air_pollution_petition
Thank you