David Schembri
Black dust ‘not a health concern’
The coarse black dust afflicting Fgura and surrounding villages does not present a heightened health concern, according to Alfred Vella, the scientist who drew up a report implicating the Marsa power station as the most likely source.
Contacted by The Times, Prof. Vella, a professor in the Chemistry Department at the University, said the particles, which were over 50 microns in diameter, could not be inhaled because of their size.
The dust was more of a nuisance than anything else and could only present a health risk if ingested. It was traffic emissions that presented the real health hazard, he added.
Still, the Marsa local council yesterday said it was asking Mepa to compensate residents for the impact the black dust had on their health and for the authority and Enemalta to take responsibility for the “huge damage” caused to residents. The council said it reserved the right to initiate legal action against the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and Enemalta.
Simultaneously, Enemalta rejected Prof. Vella’s conclusion about the source of the dust, saying his report did not carry “an analysis of the composition of the samples and comparison with the power station-produced flyash, and bases its conclusions on the ‘evidence’ which can only be drawn from the location and history of the Marsa Power Station”.
The corporation said at no point did the report confirm that the power station was the main source of the black dust samples, saying that of the 11 particles analysed, only two contained vanadium and nickel, “characteristic markers found in dust emissions from the combustion of the fuel used at Marsa”.
Enemalta did however say that “every effort” was being made to shut down the Marsa power station as soon as possible, and that it had been purchasing lower sulphur fuel oil to reduce emissions.
Prof. Vella however pointed out that the report said it was “probable” the Marsa power station was to blame: “In saying something is probable, we’re also saying that it’s improbable that it’s not”.
The report mentions a number of factors – including the wind direction, the chemical composition of some particles and the prevalence of the dust particles in the area close to Marsa – which point to the old power station as being the culprit.
It appears certain that the power station has been a “constant source of emissions of coarse black particles for a long time,” the report says.
The conclusions echo those of a 2000 report commissioned by then environment minister Francis Zammit Dimech.
Authored by Brian Stacey, that report said dust collected in Fgura was chemically and visually different to that found elsewhere. Examined under a microscope, the particles resembled flyash, commonly emitted from power stations.
In a press conference yesterday, Labour’s spokesman for the environment and sustainable development Leo Brincat called on the Prime Minister, as minister for the environment, to take political responsibility for the problem and tackle it once and for all.
Mr Brincat questioned why “nothing was done” on the Stacey report and how the government had ignored comments by Mepa’s then environment director Martin Seychell who had indicated Marsa as a possible source of the dust.
He also questioned why the select committee on black dust precipitation, of which he formed part, was in June not informed by Mepa of the report’s existence, which was dated March 2011.
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Mr Lawrence Fenech
Sep 22nd 2011, 09:30
Smoking kills you, black dust...............
Mr Etienne Galea
Sep 22nd 2011, 08:48
@ Mr. Joseph Borg
Sorry, but I do not think that qualifies him to be a doctor or a surgeon! And by the way, I do not think that presenting a PHD makes you a god. They are prone to mistakes just as the ordinary (as you depict) man in the street can is. And can you please explain, as it seems you like PHD people, why is the EU pushing for the closing down of that power station if it is not harmful to our health. Can a PHD explain this?!?!
David Elden
Sep 21st 2011, 22:29
After this statement i would not trust ANYTHING he says.
joe camenzuli
Sep 21st 2011, 20:39
I was always told to avoid inhaling any dust irrespective of its size. Dust is and will always be a health hazard.
John Falzon
Sep 21st 2011, 20:17
What is this so called “scientist” saying? Then why does Fgura (where the problem seems to manifest itself mostly) have the highest asthma rate in children in the whole of Malta.
Why all this deceit when it comes to environment issues? Why?
No wonder our air quality and standards in general are in shambles if the government draws its policies on the advice of incompetent people.
A Dimech
Sep 21st 2011, 20:00
One final question then:-
Is it the health's department OFFICIAL stand that this Black Dust is not harmful whatsoever? Can we get an official answer? or are we living in a Banana country?
Mr Edward Mallia
Sep 21st 2011, 17:55
There is I believe a certain amount of waffling about 'black dust' history. The origins of the problem lay in the change from coal to HFO at Marsa in mid-1995. The existing electrostatic precipitators (ESP) were good for coal fly ash but not so good for HFO fly ash. So in the following years increasing complaints of dust fall in the Fgura area surfaced. The 'Stacey' report, completed in 2000 was dismissed by Enemalta when the dust fall re-started in 2009, on the grounds that 'Stacey' did not compare Fgura dust with bona fides Marsa fly ash. The gross dishonesty in this lay in the fact that Enemalta was well ware that the definitive identification of Fgura dust with Marsa fly ash was made by a final year B.Sc student, who had indeed obtained dust samples from Enemalta.
As for 'nothing being done about the Stacey' report, I beg to differ. Enemalta did in fact modify the ESP so as to make them effective against HFO fly ash. So much so that complaints from Fgura in the period 2002-2009 were very limited. It was only when the ESP were switched off because of the Mepa ban on local 'export' of fly ash that complaints started up again. When Enemalta finally signed up someone to take fly ash, ESP were switched on again. So once more the statement by Tom, Dick or Harry that accompanied the 'admission' that Marsa is 'the likely source' but we have not long to suffer is just spin. Marsa should be producing little dust if the ESP have been switched on again and in anycase the Enemalta generation plan
says it will not close down completely until the Sicily cable comes on stream around October 2014.
As for particle sizes, there is no doubt that power stations, particularly if using HFO, produce plenty of fine and ultra-fine particles which spread out from the stacks. One group of people who are due to get more than fair share of these will be the 'families' picknicking in the Delimara point park, with the Delimara extension stacks belching out particles at park ground level.
Mr Etienne Galea
Sep 21st 2011, 16:31
Ma tridux ingibu xi espert barrani jghamel it-testijiet hux?
Joseph J. Borg
Sep 21st 2011, 17:46
Yes but better find one with two dozen PhDs to his or her name, preferrably in two dozen different disciplines. Apparently having a PhD in Chemistry is not enough to convince the usual crowd.
Mr M Cachia
Sep 21st 2011, 18:37
Mr Borg - a PhD in Chemistry is not the same as having a medical degree, Professor Vella should be careful and not make statments saying it does not cause a heightened disease risk. That is why his statment is being questioned.
Mr Etienne Galea
Sep 21st 2011, 16:24
Is Prof. Vella qualified in medicine or the health sector? If not, how can he judge if the dust is dangerous or not to our health. Can MEPA do the same study at Marsaxlokk, Zejtun, and the surroundings as black dust was found even over there?
Joseph J. Borg
Sep 21st 2011, 17:47
I would say that having a PhD in Chemistry allows him to have a more informed opinion that you do, don't your think?
Joseph J. Borg
Sep 21st 2011, 15:24
Interesting that although emissions from motor vehicles are causing far more damage to our health we all keep using our cars and many of us refuse the minor inconvenience of using public transport. Meanwhile we keep droning on about the power station emissions which by all accounts represent a lesser evil. In other words we want others to take the blame for problems that are largely of our own making,
A Dimech
Sep 21st 2011, 15:58
Problem - are you sure that cars are more harmful then Powerstation? don't forget - officially we don't even know that the black dust is coming from the "power station".... so how could you be so certain that cars are more harmful then the powerstation?!!
And yes - the cars are needed in every modern society - unfortunately. What is not needed in every modern society is an aged old powerstation bellowing black smoke on residential areas!
Mr Etienne Galea
Sep 21st 2011, 16:30
Yes Mr.Borg, give us the tools and we amend. Like for example LPG. But I guess like with electric powered cars : individuals and the government will try to gain as much as possible from it. Don't you think so?
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 17:16
Diesel particulates are the most hazardous traffic emissions and 90% (of all road traffic particulate emissions) are produced by disel commercial vehicles. Halving the amount of cars on the road would reduce particulates buy a nominal 5%.
Carmel Xuereb
Sep 21st 2011, 14:48
Orkesta jonqas halli nibdew inkantaw Oh la la la
Joseph J. Borg
Sep 21st 2011, 15:39
ooh keep those intelligent comments coming!
Mr John Mallia
Sep 21st 2011, 14:06
The authorities have been taking people for a ride for years.
I've commented about this subject several times.
Of course the origin of the dust is the Marsa Power station ! I can even forecast when it would fall on Fgura, where I live !
In Fgura one only has to wait for a West-Northwesterly wind, preferably Force 5 or more, et voila! ...you'll have it.
What's more is that the Enemalta people know it too ... they even admit it ... but obviously they'll never say it officially... because it suits the Government to keeps things under a 'mystery shroud'. It would otherwise be too expensive.
Profs Vella might be right that car emissions are more hazardous to human health, but what bothers me more is that the authorities treat us like idiots. That's why PN has long lost my voting preference.
J Galea
Sep 21st 2011, 14:57
excuse me, but what has Prof Vella do with the PN, may I ask?
Mr John Montague
Sep 21st 2011, 14:04
So problems for asthma sufferers, dirt that requires cleaning on and in houses, cars, etc, and dirty clothes and washing are not an issue.....
Mr Edward Mallia
Sep 21st 2011, 14:02
While there is litle possibility of inhaling these large fly-ash particles through the nasal cavity, even if they just lodge there, they may constitute serious danger if they are carrying - not at all unlikely but not well studied -- polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). That apart, power stations also emit much finer particles, 'traditionally' associated with vehicle traffic, PM10 and PM2.5. Neither electrostatic precipitators nor bag filters can remove these from the chimney gases, while the human organism has no defences against them either. The situation as monitored at Zejtun by the Mepa station shows disturbingly high values of both types. These levels are due to be augmented in the not-too-distant future by the HFO-burning Delimara extension. Recent work has shown that PM2.5 can actually reach the brain via the nose and the olefactory nerve.
Mrs jane camillleri haber
Sep 21st 2011, 13:55
I repeat my comment of a few days ago. on my roof on more than one occasion during this summer I have had sulphur deposited as a yellow sludgy smear on the surface of water in my buckets whenever I left them outside full of water overnight. sulphur particles are less coarse then the black dust. they are dangerous if inhaled ( and to have gotten on my roof in uphill tarxien, it is a sign of how light and airborne sulphur can be. when meeting the moisture of the lung lining sulphur can go on to somewhat dissolve ( like it dissolved in my water causing a slight sludge), producing acids which will ruin any organs in contact with it. so yes these deposits are coming from the power station ( otherwise all the country would be getting them not just us poor miserable people of these environs! since cars and industry are everywhere!) and yes they have posed and will continue to pose serious health-hazards, unless the plant is irrevocably shut down,
Mr James Tyrrell
Sep 21st 2011, 13:55
"Contacted by The Times, Prof. Vella, a professor in the Chemistry Department at the University, said the particles, which were over 50 microns in diameter, could not be inhaled because of their size." I find this rather strange and indeed hard to believe. I have a friend who inhaled a peanut and had to have emergency surgery to save his life and I can assure you that is a lot bigger than 50 microns. To give you some idea with regard to size the average human hair has a diameter of 100 microns so the particles the professor is referring to are half the diameter of a human hair. I don't know about you but I doubt if I would notice that going in! I would also question this uniform 50 micron particle size referred to in the report. Combustion of fuel normally produces particle sizes from 1 micron upwards. The 50 micron size referred to in the report are the heavier particles which fall out of suspension faster and are therefore found coating surfaces. However the smaller particles associated with these larger ones remain in suspension for a longer period, are carried further by air currents and are easily inhaled.
A Dimech
Sep 21st 2011, 15:37
Hi James -
I read your comment, and whilst it is serious, I couldn't not laugh at the peanut analogy!! well done!
Joseph J. Borg
Sep 21st 2011, 17:42
Don't be ridiculous - peanuts and hair are swallowed not inhaled, which means that if they don't get stuck in your troath they end up in your stomach not your lungs. Any more "clever" anecdotes tp regale us natives with?
Mr James Tyrrell
Sep 21st 2011, 20:09
Joseph you might find a few of the answers at this link informative.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070923050210AA5LEM3
There is nothing ridiculous about it and I can assure you if it goes down the wrong way it will end up in the lung and cause problems as it did in my friends case. If not dealt with as an emergency it can be fatal.
J. Debono
Sep 21st 2011, 13:55
It seems that most people are writing without being properly informed.
1. The black dust in question is not hazardous to health i.e. PM50 or above.
2. Marsa Power station (MPS) pumps thousands of different gases including NOx, SOx, unburnt hydrocarbons, PM2.5, PM10, ALL of which ARE hazardous to health
3. In Malta, a study done in 2001 by Dr. Martin Balzan and Dr. Jason Bonnici, showed that Fgura has the highest asthma rate in Malta, followed by Zejtun.
4. Looking at the wind prevalence in Malta, without any doubt MPS is a culprit in this high rate of asthma
5. Looking well into the study mentioned above shows that people living in Hompesch road or the vicinity, have a much higher rate of asthma than other people (from Fgura also), that live furthest from Hompesch road. This is a strong indicator that traffic is also important, in asthma prevalence.
6. Therefore the expert is right in saying that black dust is not hazardous to health, but he is omitting the fact that together with the black dust comes a concoction of other very dangerous gases.
7. Whoever wishes to know the amount of dangerous gases in his area, this site should give you more information http://www.mepa.org.mt/airquality
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 14:53
I am in total agreement with you in spite of your 'comment' on my comment below.
Further:-
The study buy Dr Balzan and Dr Bonnici suggest that asthma prevalence is related to the main road passing through Fgura, Triq Hompesch, Triq Haz-Zabbar. Triq San Tumas passes transversely to those. The traffic flow in each of these three roads/streets is of the order of 8 million vehicles a year. It is by no means little, but there are numerous other roads and streets in other localities with comparable or even higher traffic flows which do NOT take Dr Balzan/Bonnici 's Asthma incidence prize. The traffic emissions in Fgura must be taken to consist of an 'add on' to the background fall out emissions from MPS emissions (not only the 50 micron) and THAT explains better WHY there are more asthma cases in Fgura. Another factor is the likely older vehicle fleet which traverses the Fgura roads (lower affluence is related to older and less maintained vehicle fleets) and the fact that Fgura school children are amassed in a public school which is situated 250m from Triq San Tumas on one side and 150m from Triq Hompesch on the other.
A Dimech
Sep 21st 2011, 14:59
J. Debono -
Actually, I think most people are sayign what you are saying - that together with these "large" particles - there is probably more harmful substances....
and hence saying that "there is no health risk" is miss-informing people of the full situation.
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 16:00
Hi J Debono. Would be interested in emissions data you offered.
aaabez@maltanet.net.
or if Times policy not to publish e-mail addresses this may be forwarded to Mr J Debono!
J. Debono
Sep 21st 2011, 16:01
@ Albert Bezzina
To cont.. with what I said.
Another observation done by Dr. Martin Balzan - this time regarding admissions to SLH (at that time) for asthma related problems, showed a very high incidence in Msida, Sliema area.
I forgot the actual figures, but if I am not mistaken they were at par with Fgura, Zejtun area, or very similar.
This shows quite clearly that the main culprit without any doubt for lung disease is traffic, without undermining the importance of the power stations.
Regarding Delimara power station,
I have noticed the following PM2.5 distribution in northerly, southerly winds.
1. When a NW wind is blowing PM2.5, is RELATIVELY low in all areas (MEPA air quality stations)
2. In a SW, S, SE wind, Attard area actually has a much higher (almost double), the amount of PM2.5 than Fgura, Zejtun area.
Franco Abela
Sep 21st 2011, 13:27
Kumbinazzjoni ftit snin ilu hareg rapport li it-tfal tal_fgura u taz Zejtun ghandhom l-ghola incidenza ta Asthma! 50% tat-tfal.
Tghidulix traffiku ghax it traffiku kullimkien qieghed.... il-Power Station mhijiex kullimkien!
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Sep 21st 2011, 13:24
Ara sewwa jghid Lowell. professuri tal bigilla. Dan x argument bazwi hu.... Ma jisthix jitkellem dan il professur
Nicholas Grech
Sep 21st 2011, 13:23
Indeed 50 microns is not harmful. Particles are considered dangerous if they are smaller than 10 microns, because they tend to stay in the lungs, whereas larger particles are exhaled. I would be more concerned by the levels of NOx and CO2, which are by far more dangerous.
Mr joseph saliba
Sep 21st 2011, 12:49
Does inhaling propoganda fumes from the flaming torch present a national hazard?!
Vanessa-clair Farrugia
Sep 21st 2011, 12:49
HALF the children born and raised in Fgura suffer from this potentially fatal condition. Coincidence?! My asthma consultant doesn't think so. Both MEPA and Enemalta are clutching at straws in the vain hope of not being 'blamed' with causing asthma to a large percentage of the southern population.
Mr Angus Black
Sep 21st 2011, 17:07
Is half the population of Marsa and towns between Marsa and Fgura also suffering from asthma? Or is the wind always blowing Fgura way?
If the Marsa PS is to blame, then half or more of those born in 1950 on, should be suffering from asthma, more so those who were born when the PS was converted from oil to sulphur laden coal from Poland.Coal dust was no problem then. I wonder why?
Mohabf Fahmi
Sep 21st 2011, 12:28
tell that to the people who suffer from asthma..i know people who, when they moved from Fgura, actually lost all symptoms pertaining to their so called asthma!
John Micallef
Sep 21st 2011, 12:23
da bis serjeta jew??
N. Bonello
Sep 21st 2011, 12:21
'particles, which were over 50 microns in diameter, could not be inhaled because of their size'.
Do you really think we should buy this 'opinion'.
Taking the 'opinion' as valid do you think that all particles are over 50 microns. Dont you think particles under 50 microns are present - maybe in more abundance and more widespread that 50 micron particles.
Dont worry about what you see but what you cant see.
At the end of the day what did we get for our money here ?
Mr Kevin Muller
Sep 21st 2011, 11:48
Oh yes. The fumes and dust doesn't kill you , so why care about it ? What a low quality amateurish country we are living in. Everything is done fast and cheap whithout any thinking. A shame !
D Pace
Sep 21st 2011, 13:05
You have hit the nail on the head there Kevin, everything is done so cheap in Malta that it ends up breaking, a friend of mine described the place appropriately as "Broken", what really amazes me is that we pay a lot for this shabby quality and workmanship, what does surprise me also is where is all the money collected going? ...... or is that a silly question.
Manuel Mangani
Sep 21st 2011, 11:38
Do experts in respiratory medicine concur with the view that this material poses no health risks?
Mr M Cachia
Sep 21st 2011, 12:34
I personally do not. Although Professor Vella is right, these particles cannot be inhaled through the nasal passages and will not travel down to the lower bronchial tree, penetration is possible through the upper respiratory tract via the oral cavity. Exposure of these particles to the epithelial lining of the upper bronchus will still have an irritant effect. I do not have enough information to identify what these particles are, but I would assume that there might be some resemblance to diesel exhaust fumes, which are known to cause a variety of respiratory conditions, including but not limited to COPD and Asthma. Also I would like to ask - how was sampling taken? If similar to diesel exhaust fumes, these would have smaller particles mixed in with the larger ones, that might have been dispersed by the time sampling was taken.
A Dimech
Sep 21st 2011, 11:37
Questions for the scientists:-
1 Is he saying that only these particles are emitted from the powerstation? We can see these particles because they are "sizeable" but does this mean that there isn't any other emissions which are harmful?
2. What about these particles falling on cultivated land? is there a danger there?
3. What about children playing in this dust? is there a danger there?
4. What about quality of living? Is it nice to live in these particles?
5. 50 microns - that sounds to me quite small - and easy to inhale?!
6. Does this black dust represent any risk to our water table?
7. Are these particles all consistent in size? 50 microns? Can he guarantee there are no smaller ones which are easier to inhale?
just firing a statement - these are not harmful because of their size - seems to me a little bit pre-mature - especially when we "don't even know where they are coming from"!!
Tony Borg
Sep 21st 2011, 11:59
He who pays the bill of this expert will eventually dictate what is listed in it!!!! WE should hand over this Report to some EU experts and then we see about these stupid conclusions which do not concern his specific line of expertise.
Gianluca Falzon
Sep 21st 2011, 12:26
Regarding 5. - An inhaled particle is not considered harmful unless it is taken in by the respiratory system. And I don't mean simply breathing in. I'm referring to when the particles get into the lungs and are in the process of coming into contact with red blood cells that are there to carry oxygen. If the particles are too large or have no affinity for the haemoglobin present in the red blood cells then there is no danger posed. 50 microns is definitely a minute value for size, but then again every single particle in existence is minute, and most of them cannot be carried by red blood cells.
Regarding 7. If the composition of the particle cloud is only made up of one compund, then the size of each particle will be the same, because we are talking about one compound. I also tend to believe that if the size of some particles would be much smaller, they would tend to scatter in the air or atmosphere instead of staying secluded into a cloud. But I'm not that experienced.
A Dimech
Sep 21st 2011, 14:52
To Gianluca:-
"If the composition of the particle cloud is only made up of one compund, then the size of each particle will be the same"
I know what I am saying - and believe me that assertion is not always true!!
Joe Degiorgio
Sep 21st 2011, 11:36
And so the blame game begins.
On a seperate note while we're mentioning health hazards: Anyone knows what is the source of a permanent foul smell (almost burning to the nostrils) that lingers between the supermarket and the traffic lights near Gutenberg?
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 12:19
I have smelt it myself but since I rarely pass through there! I would say a large storage facility of fuel oil - possibly unknown by the authorities or the customs dept :-)
M Muscat
Sep 21st 2011, 11:32
Can you tell me where you leave Profs. Alfred Vella?
Sourly NOT IN THE SOUTH!
Mr Edward Mallia
Sep 21st 2011, 13:25
The question of the actual dangers of fly ash may be slightly more complex than Vella tries to make out. If there are any Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the fly ash, then there is no need of uptake of the particle for serious health effects to occur. That apart, powerstations do in fact emit much finer particles than fly ash (PM10 and PM2.5), particles which are not stopped by bag filters and probably not by precipitators; these are also associated with emissions from diesel engines. The human organism has no defence against these. There are quite high levels of both PM2.5 and PM10 at Zejtun and these are scheduled to rise as Delimara HFO burning extension comes on stream.
David Spiteri
Sep 21st 2011, 11:26
With all the conclusions and observations pointed out below, i reach the conclusion that the Maltese islands are blessed with so many scientists. We must be the envy of the world.
However i would like to point out that a journalist, not a scientist is reporting the above article. So if i were you, i would refrain from criticizing the work of such experts and continue with your daily work.
One knowing the great work and scrutiny carried out by Profs. Vella and his team, would only feel insignificant in trying to dull the report authored by such a person.
Mr Angus Black
Sep 21st 2011, 13:46
Can't you tell that in Malta there are more Drs and PHDs than you can shake a stick at, but through their sheer humility they simply do not show their degrees after their names?
Enemalta stated: "Enemalta carries out soot blowing twice or three times a day and logs of this activity are submitted to MEPA, so that they can correlate any abnormal dust falls, which has not happened to date."
If Profs Vella was not given the necessary data or if the data given to him was incomplete, then he had two choices: either refuse to carry out the report or be as broad as possible and point at probabilities as opposed to facts.
To those who are so ready to moan and whine, let me remind them that the Marsa station has been soot blowing from day one long before precipitators were in place and pollution suppression was not even dreamed about. Hanging clothes meant first having to clean the lines of soot before hanging clothes, and nobody said much. It was taken as a routine and no evidence indicates that the soot presented a health hazard. In the 50s and 60s I lived in Hamrun and although this town is never mentioned in reports connected with the Marsa station, I can vouch that soot was no rare phenomenon.
To those who use the media for political reasons and making all sorts of accusations like, 'the government should tackle this situation now and compensate the Marsa residents', I tell them to first stop hindering the progress at the Delimara extension which, when completed will hasten the closing of the Marsa station.
The stomach churning exercise of stirring the pot for political gains will certainly back-fire on those who say nay to every project this government undertakes while they pass their time on a rocking chair or siting on fences while the real problems of this country are left on the shoulders of the government, I say, 'put a sock in it'.
Bil-paroli biss ma naslu mkien!
j brincat
Sep 21st 2011, 11:24
Quote:"Prof. Vella however pointed out that the report said it was “probable” the Marsa power station was to blame: “In saying something is probable, we’re also saying that it’s improbable that it’s not”.
Enemalta is simply playing for words when every fingers seems to point towards Enemalta. What a shame on a corporation which is government owned and same government has done nothing to alleviate the problem.
(jb)
Mr M. Vella
Sep 21st 2011, 11:22
Whether it is a nuisance or a health risk or simply a sore sight for the locals, I do not see why it should not be tackled. Either reason seems perfectly valid
Joe Julian Farrugia
Sep 21st 2011, 11:15
"not a health concern"... maybe just a decoration!
The South is full of such decorations: 2 power stations, dockyard, freeport, gas and fuel installations galore... all concentrated in one area.
Who cares? They're not in the backyard of people who matter...
The new national motto to be written on the national emblem: "I'm alright... Jack lives in the South!"
Ms pat muscat
Sep 21st 2011, 11:15
An other excuse: first it took 10 years to 'discover' the obvious, and now that the rabbit has escaped from the sack, an other double speak is introduced! Its like like the Moody's downgrading ; first money no problem, then let our kids pay the debt, then finanzi fis-sod and when then when reality hits home blame anyone except the one who cooked the mess!
Mr Toni Cardona
Sep 21st 2011, 11:13
How does the 'air pollution map' compare with the 'health problems map’?
May we see both maps please?
Mr Tony Camilleri
Sep 21st 2011, 11:12
Contacted by The Times, Prof. Vella, a professor in the Chemistry Department at the University, said the particles, which were over 50 microns in diameter, could not be inhaled because of their size.
Maybe not inhaled in the lungs, but what happens when they end up in the air passage system and in the mouth?
Mr Karl Consiglio
Sep 21st 2011, 10:42
Can't hang white laundry on your roof anymore?
Owen Liddell
Sep 21st 2011, 13:18
this!!!
John Bugeja
Sep 21st 2011, 10:13
‘’The particles, which were over 50 microns in diameter, could not be inhaled because of their size.’’ So farther away from where sample was taken, the probability is that finer particles less than 50 microns have precipitated!! Was an air sample taken during investigation? Air is inhaled, and not dust from the ground!
Mr Patrick Zammit
Sep 21st 2011, 10:04
Does this scientist wants us to believe that only particles over 50 microns are released by the power station?
Does he also want us to believe that particles can only do harm if they enter the lungs?
Phil Humphries
Sep 21st 2011, 09:53
Is there any evidence to suggest that the dust is coming from any other fuel-burning source upwind of Fgura and its environs?
There are none so blind as those who will not see. - Especially those with a vested interest in keeping Marsa open for another couple of years !
Phil Humphries
Sep 21st 2011, 09:52
Is there any evidence to suggest that the dust is coming from any other fuel-burning source upwind of Fgura and its environs?
There are none so blind as those who will not see. - Especially those with a vested interest in keeping Marsa open for another couple of years !
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 09:26
The coarse black dust afflicting Fgura and surrounding villages does not present a heightened health concern,
Well than there is no reason for the EU to make us close the Marsa power station is there!
J. Debono
Sep 21st 2011, 10:31
If you did some research before you wrote, you would have not written this nonsense.
Particles od more than 50microns do not cause a health concern.
Only particles less than 10 microns, particularly less than 2.5 microns, known as PM2.5, are considered as damaging to health.
These mostly come from car traffic, not Marsa power station.
Regarding closure of MPS, of course we should close it, it is outdated, very fuel inefficient, and highly damaging to the environment, and also to health (mainly SOx, NOx, and even PM10, and PM2.5)
But the black dust people see is inocuous, it is the dust which we do not see, that is extremely damaging to health
Mr N. Agius
Sep 21st 2011, 11:10
@ J. Debono
Does it have any nutrients by any chance?
J. Debono
Sep 21st 2011, 11:37
@ N.Agius
What I'm saying is that visible dust particles are not a concern to health, and that the expert quoted in the article is right.
If you read the article correctly - they are not a health hazard if 'inhaled', but can pose a serious problem if 'ingested'
So to reply your question 'No, they do not contain nutrients, but they can seriously harm your health if you are stupid enough to ingest them!!'
Carmel Cilia
Sep 21st 2011, 11:45
@JDebono. You are absolutely right Mr. Debono this black dust is a modern version of the biblical white manna sent by the Lord for our benefit: The answer I want is why only at that particular area. If it was traffic induced certainly there are more densely traffic areas say in Sliema, No?
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 12:15
@ J Debono
I know very well that PM10 and PM2.5 are a health hazard because they can be inhaled right down to the smaller bronchioles and lung alveoli. PM2.5 can actually enter the bloodstream. Ask MEPA why they now call particulates 'Dusts'.
You honestly believe that the emissions from the power station consist only of 50 microns particles (and nothing else) nicely packaged into non inhalable, benign packets. The closure of the power station is required for several reasons, including efficiency issues and other emission characteristics.
Road traffic PM10 and PM2.5 come primarily from Diesel powered vehicles and the emissions share for commercial vehicles of these particulates is 90% while that from passenger cars is 10%.
The issue of 50 micron particles falling in the Fgura, Tarxien, Paola areas is a visible indicator of the plume footprint from the emission source, a bit like fluorescein marker used to follow water seepage. The other emissions from the source which are not visible and which carry a higher health hazard would tend to deposit in the same areas as shown by the 'benign' 50 micron particles deposition patterns and downwind from that footprint.
If it has taken 11 years to reach some 'conclusions' on the 50 micron particulates, how long would it take to make an independent study on all the other fallout pollutants from 'The Source'.
50 micron particles may not reach the smaller air passages but can we actually have references which exonerate such course particles from ANY health hazard. On windy days I have personally removed over 40 similar particles in 24 hours (larger than 50 microns) from the eye surfaces from residents of Marsa and Hamrun predominantly. As these are larger than 50 microns, they would deposit closer to 'The Source' and whipped up from the street surfaces during windy days.
My comment was directed to all emissions related to the 50 micron particles which are undoubtedly generated by 'The Source'
In-nonsense huwwa dak li jbellawlek l-awtoritajiet.
J. Debono
Sep 21st 2011, 12:17
I have absolutely no doubt it comes from MPS. However it is not a health concern as shown by studies. Traffic is the main problem to lung disease as shown in a study done in Fgura by Dr. Martin Balzan and Dr. Jason Bonnici. This in conjunction with MPS gases but not the black dust.
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 13:33
The study buy Dr Balzan and Dr Bonnici suggest that asthma prevalence is related to the main road passing through Fgura, Triq Hompesch, Triq Haz-Zabbar. Triq San Tumas passes transversely to those. The traffic flow in each of these three roads/streets is of the order of 8 million vehicles a year. It is by no means little, but there are numerous other roads and streets in other localities with comparable or even higher traffic flows which do NOT take Dr Balzan/Bonnici 's Asthma incidence prize. The traffic emissions in Fgura must be taken to consist of an 'add on' to the background fall out emissions from MPS emissions (not only the 50 micron) and THAT explains better WHY there are more asthma cases in Fgura. Another factor is the likely older vehicle fleet which traverses the Fgura roads (lower affluence is related to older and less maintained vehicle fleets) and the fact that Fgura school children are amassed in a public school which is situated in Triq San Tumas on one side and 150m from Triq Hompesch on the other.
Albert Bezzina
Sep 21st 2011, 13:37
Correction to preceeding comment:-
"Fgura school children are amassed in a public school which is situated 250m from Triq San Tumas on one side and 150m from Triq Hompesch on the other."
J. Debono
Sep 21st 2011, 13:59
@ Albert Bezzina
We were talking about PM50, not other gases!
If you want more information regarding indoor air quality, outdoour air quality, and gases produced by power stations, give me your e-mail, and I will present you with tons of studies regarding each and every gas emitted by Marsa Power station, and their relation to health.
But I stand by what I said. PM50 is NOT hazardous to health.
Mr Peter Murray
Sep 21st 2011, 08:04
Is this the same "scientist" who said mobile phones or their reception antennaes are perfectly safe and harmless to health also by any chance?