Euro Parliament asked to probe grit blasting

The European Parliament has been asked to investigate the grit blasting being carried out at the Maltese shipyards, The Times has learnt.

The request was made through the Parliament’s Petitions Committee and the issue may be included on the committee’s agenda.

Sources said the request, sent by a Maltese citizen named only as PG, alleges that grit blasting performed at the shipyards is damaging the environment and the health of people living in the area.

The petitioner claims that ships under maintenance are undergoing round-the-clock sandblasting without any effort being made to contain paint and rust particles and prevent them from spreading over inhabited areas and the marine environment. The population, runs the petition, is also suffering from noise pollution.

It asks the EP for scrutiny over what it describes as a blatant violation of protection of the environment and human health.

Sources close to the Parliament said the committee had already asked the European Commission to look into the issue and was expecting its formal response before the item is placed on the agenda for further investigation.

“We are taking this petition seriously and the Commission should be in a position to give its opinion very soon. We will take it from there and if need be we will also carry out our independent verifications,” a source said.

Grit blasting has been going on at the Maltese shipyards for decades and has been a source of continuous complaints from residents in the area, particularly due to airborne grit particles which fly to nearby residences during the process and potential damage to the health of those in the vicinity.

Following various complaints, the planning authority imposed a ban on the activity last December but it was later relaxed subject to strict conditions imposed by the Environment Directorate.

On the other hand, Palumbo, the new Italian owners of the shipyards, insist that grit-blasting is essential to their operations and measures are being taken to limit its impact.

Grit blasting consists of copper particles blasted onto ships to remove paint and rust, leaving a smooth and clean surface. Although it is not illegal in itself, the method can be called into question if its residue pollutes the environment or causes a health hazard, especially if the tiny specs of paint, rust and metal become airborne.

The planning authority is also evaluating an application for an environment permit submitted by Palumbo to continue using this method. This is subject to public consultation.