Do sulphur dioxide concentrations in Malta meet EU air quality standards?

Sulphur dioxide (SO2), which is a major air pollutant formed primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulphur, becomes sulphuric acid when it comes into contact with water.

It is harmful to human beings, especially to asthmatics who tolerate acidity less, and to vegetation.[1]

National average SO2 concentrations continued to fall between 2005 and 2006, registering a decrease of 41 per cent, from 9.4ug/m3 to 5.5ug/m3.

This is once again a great improvement: Between 2004 and 2005 concentrations had fallen by 24 per cent.

Improvements were registered in almost all localities and locality averages[2] were all below 20g/m³.

While the EU hourly average limit value of 350μg/m3 (not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year) was exceeded twice in the Floriana station, the EU daily average limit value of 125μg/m3 (not to be exceeded more than three times a year) was not exceeded in any of the stations in 2006. Further studies are required in order to ascertain the reason for these improvements since a number of factors may play a role, such as favourable weather conditions.

Source: Mepa.

Environmental tip: Minimise your use of electricity and fuels

[1] http://glossary.eea.europa.eu/EEAGlossary

[2] No EU annual limit value exists but the WHO annual limit value is 50ug/m3