Traffic 'main contributor' of Fgura dust problem

Traffic appears to be the main contributor to the black dust problem in the Fgura area, according to preliminary results of studies carried out last summer.

The studies – carried out by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) at the University of Malta and the Malta Centre of Restoration – involved the use of specialised X-ray procedures.

Fgura council and residents have complained of excessive volumes of black dust, the source of which has never been identified. However, it has been established that the black dust collected last summer was not of the same type as the dust which fell on the village in the summers of 2009 and 2007, a spokesman for Mepa told The Sunday Times.

Both studies were inconclusive, though the 2007 exercise did not establish any traces of vanadium from the Marsa power station, as had been suspected.

The two tests indicated that the black dust collected from Fgura is associated with areas known to be heavily affected by exhaust emissions.

Mepa has also established that samples of dust collected this year differ markedly from fly ash of the Marsa power station, which many believed was the source of the material strewn over the area. The findings, however, also showed a “secondary” influence from the Marsa plant given its close proximity. The Marsa station is scheduled to be shut down by 2015 after the EU imposed a 20,000-hour operational limit on the lifespan of the plant.

Mepa is now expecting a proposal from leading chemistry experts at the University of Malta to carry out further studies.

The authority spokesman said the situation in Fgura was complex and only a long-term monitoring programme would help establish the factors which influence the deposit of dust at different times.

Mepa said measures such as the implementation of low emission zones, proper traffic management measures or scrapping of highly polluting vehicles should help in alleviating this problem – together with other measures targeting industry and the power stations.

Earlier this month, the government presented a motion in parliament proposing the setting up of a Select Committee to investigate the black dust matter. The Labour opposition and several residents, however, criticised the authorities for downplaying a potential health hazard.

During a news conference recently, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said the government had chosen to sweep under the carpet a problem which has dogged the area since 1999.