Higher taxation for polluting vehicles and incentives for the removal of old vehicles from the roads were among the most frequent suggestions made to Mepa as part of a public consultation on reducing the concentration levels of fine dust in the air.

Mepa in a statement explained that over the past few years, Malta had found it difficult to comply with EU limit values of particulate matter (PM10) - dust particles that are generally less than 10 millionths of a metre in diameter, and invisible to the human eye.

Although at times a significant amount of these dust particles originated from natural sources, man-made sources included transport, power generation, construction and small industry.

The Authority said the transport sector was the major contributor to air pollution mainly due to exhaust emissions, tyre and brake abrasion and the re-suspension of dust that had previously settled on the roads.

Some of the suggestions made by the public were:

More frequent VRT tests, covering all vehicles; incentives for the scrapping of vehicles over 10 years old; a ban on heavy vehicles from village cores; public transport reform to reduce the need for private vehicles; mandating the use of bio-fuels; harsher penalties for those using kerosene or light heating oil for trucks and cars; heavier taxation for polluting vehicles;

Installation of filters to reduce emissions from heavy vehicles; improved harbour ferry services to reduce traffic congestion in the harbour area; car free days;

Higher fuel prices; the promotion of cycling; a staggering of school and work hours to reduce traffic jams; a raising of speed limits since slow traffic produces more emissions; reintroduction of the tram; provision of underground parking and more park and ride facilities; encouraging people to have roof gardens; in underground metro system;

Incentives for electric vehicles; road checks to ensure that engines are properly tuned; limiting heavy vehicles to particular routes at particular times; allowing aluminium apertures in old houses to reduce income polluted air;

Planting of vegetation in streets and industrial estates to absorb emissions; reducing vehicle use by half by having cars used on alternate days; on-the-spot removal of cars emitting heavy fumes; improving the SMS emissions reporting system;

Reducing building development to reduce dust; tax fuel, but remove registration tax; limestone blocks should be sanded in quarries not on building sites; cover dust heaps, link the power grid to Sicily to reduce power station emissions.

The suggestions will be used by Mepa in the drawing up of an Air Quality Plan for the Maltese Islands.

The suggestions made can be seen on http://www.mepa.org.mt/air-policymeasures