Black dust discovered by residents in a valley bordering Fgura is grit blasting material dumped there by the shipyards in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the planning authority.
A carpet of black dust was discovered recently by two residents walking their dog in Wied Blandun, a valley between Fgura and Cospicua, giving rise to speculation it may be linked to the pollution problem plaguing the locality.
However, after analysing dust samples through a scanning electro-microscope, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority confirmed the particles were grit blasting material that could have been uncovered by this month’s heavy rains.
Grit blasting involves the use of sand, shot at high pressure to remove rust and other unwanted material from ship hulls. The resulting debris contains metal particles and silica from the sand.
Samples of the black dust were collected by environment protection officers earlier this week after the discovery was reported in the media.
“From further investigations it emerged that large quantities of this material had been deposited by Malta Drydocks during the mid-1970s and 1980s,” a Mepa spokesman said.
He also confirmed the dust particles discovered in Wied Blandun were “totally different” from the dust particles that were responsible for the black dust episodes in 2007 and 2009 in Fgura and other localities in the Southeast of Malta.
It was Antonella Agius and Christian Brincat who discovered the carpet of black dust in the valley by the Cospicua bastions, covering an area about 400 square metres. They calculated that in some parts the carpet was about five centimetres thick.
The black dust issue has been a source of mystery and frustration since 1999. The Fgura council and residents have been complaining of excessive volumes but its source has never been identified.
Last year, fingers were pointed at the Marsa power station, which had its dust abatement equipment switched off for a whole nine months in a period that coincided with increased reports from residents. However, preliminary results of studies carried out by Mepa point an accusing finger at traffic generated pollution.
A parliamentary select committee proposed by the government to investigate the black dust mystery has not yet been appointed.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com