To simply state there is a direct relation between environmental quality and human health is a truism and I feel we should be able to go beyond that. It is very often stated, and rightly so, that the economic significance of environmental degradation is difficult to assess and, therefore, the relevant authorities often fail to factor such degradation in their policy considerations or to do so only to a limited extent. Even from a purely economic perspective, this approach is quite myopic since, very often, environmental degradation leads to loss in economic assets such as human health, biodiversity and ecological services.
On the other hand, it would be equally shortsighted were we to base our assessment of the link between environmental quality and human health within the local context only on the basis of public perceptions rather than evidence-based considerations or only on our national compliance requirements to EU obligations.
When considering the limited resources available to the local competent authorities that are responsible (or partly responsible) for ensuring the management of such risks to human health as arising from environmental degradation and when considering the oft-adopted risk-approach to the management of such issues, due to their complex and multifaceted nature, such method of assessment would be counter-productive, to say the least.
The President’s Foundation for the Well-being of Society and its Forum for Active Community Engagement will be holding a national conference on ‘Our changing environment, health and well-being’. This will be held on Wednesday (April 5, 2017) and I have been invited to participate.
While, evidently, I will be basing my contribution on facts and figures provided by the Environment and Resources Authority, I intend to express my own personal opinions on such matters and these are not necessarily official opinions of ERA.
We are facing major challenges arising from the need to manage risks to human health
As the most-densely populated island-state within the Mediterranean, experiencing a period of rapid economic growth, there is no doubt that we are facing major challenges arising from the need to manage risks to human health arising from waste generation, noise and air quality, in particular. However, there may be other emerging issues.
Annual growth in waste generation is leading to increased stress, particularly to land, groundwater, air and the marine environment. While increased waste generation is often associated with improved economic performance, we should aim at decoupling these two indicators.
One would expect continued growth in waste generation unless waste prevention measures outlined in Malta’s national waste management plan are implemented with immediate effect. Further growth in waste generation without immediate action to improve sustainable waste management in Malta can lead to increased pressures on human health and on our environmental resources, not to mention difficulties piled on Malta’s endeavours to abide by its EU obligations.
During its first year of operation, ERA has given priority to this issue, especially to the need for increased enforcement of national legislation, especially by major operators in the field. ERA was also instrumental in providing expert advice on policy matters to the ministry responsible for the environment on waste management matters.
While noting that key air quality indicators in Malta do not generally exceed EU obligations, air quality is generally perceived as being of great national concern. The conversion of energy generation from heavy fuel oil to less polluting fuel sources is undoubtedly one important step in the right direction.
Available data suggest that, when considering EU thresholds, the air pollutants which have raised concern since 2008 are particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, mainly arising from road traffic, though, surprisingly so, there is no evidence to suggest any persistent upward trend in these air pollutants. Nonetheless, it is evident that any improvement in air quality in our urban areas will ultimately depend on better traffic management. Such traffic management strategies need to be integrated within spatial planning policies. Potentially hard decisions need to be taken on the reduction of the amount of traffic on our roads.
ERA’s remit on noise is related to environmental noise and advising on the assessment of noise generated from new developments and industrial sites. Such sources, as stated in the Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC), include: road traffic, infrastructure, aircraft, outdoor and industrial equipment.
In urban areas, environmental noise levels are on the increase mainly from increasing road traffic and the intensification of industrial uses and recreational activities. ERA compiles noise maps indicating noise exposure and prepares action plans based on the strategic noise mapping.
Furthermore, important sources of noise such as firework displays do not fall within ERA’s remit
Evidently, there is a fragmentary approach towards the holistic management of risks arising from noise levels and this needs to be addressed at a national level in the immediate future, in a manner which goes beyond the fulfilment of our requirement to be compliant with EU regulations.
Likewise, considerations of health risks arising from air quality have to go beyond our EU obligations and take into account other potential contaminants such as perchlorates, which, as yet, do not feature within an EU context.
There may be other emerging issues on environmental quality and public health. These include the potential occurrence of harmful and toxic algal blooms in our coastal waters.
There is an evident need for closer collaboration between different competent authorities including ERA and the health authorities to address such issues. Also, specific priority areas and national objectives need to be jointly identified and the various action plans in different sectors need to be harmonised to achieve such objectives within a given timeframe.
Victor Axiak is chairman of the Environment and Resources Authority.