Why

Maltese residents have been long complaining about the dust and noise pollution caused by the construction industry during building works and also by construction plants which are located close to residential areas. Residents feel that, for far too long, the construction industry has been left free to do as it pleases under the dubious pretext that regulating this sector could somehow pose a threat to economic activity. The inconvenience caused to residents, especially elderly residents, is much greater than one would think. Living day-in-day-out next to a construction plant which emits noise and dust incessantly is not just a health hazard. It also often creates tension and distress. Construction projects which last for a number of years cause similar misery to neighbouring residents and at times people also have to endure material damage caused to their own property with their pleas for compensation ignored by the building contractors. This is not to mention the eye-sore that uncovered construction plants cause to the surrounding landscape.

The general provisions for air quality assessment and management were until recently laid down in EU law Ambient Air Quality (96/62/EC and its daughter Directive (1999/30/EC) which contains specific provisions related to particulate matter (PM10). Particulate matter is a pollutant that is relevant in this case. However, these laws have been recently replaced by a new directive - Directive 2008/50/EC. This new law sets ambitious standards and target dates for Member States which are obliged to reduce concentrations of fine particles known as PM_2.5 as well as coarser particles known as PM_10. These two types of particles are among the most dangerous pollutants for human health.

In response to a petition filed by a Lija resident, the European Commission has already clearly declared in the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament, that the air in Lija exceeds EU pollution limits and is not in line with EU law. The Commission admitted that, based on official data provided by the Maltese authorities, it transpired that the particulate matter (PM10) in the area of Lija exceeded EU limits and was, therefore, in breach of EU law.

Take a look at Stop the Dust factsheet