Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/421389
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2014 News 9 JAMES DEBONO FIREWORKS factories located in buffer zones for the Water Services Corporation's potable water bore- holes will be considered on "a case by case basis", according to a newly approved planning policy. But the new policy does not rule out such development completely, despite a stern warning by leading chemist Alfred Vella about the dan- gers posed by fireworks factories to the water supply. In submissions sent to the Malta Environment and Planning Author- ity, Vella declared that allowing con- struction of such factories within the buffer zones of potable water bore- holes or galleries "is not a good idea" unless very special and expensive precautions are taken to address the possibility of damage to the water table "from infiltration of seriously contaminated water." Materials used in fireworks manu- facture consist of readily water-solu- ble substances such as nitrates, chlo- rates and perchlorates. In the event of an accidental explo- sion, Vella warns, firefighters would have to douse a great deal of water on the burning structure and this water would likely pick up soluble toxic chemicals from the materials stored on site, including material from finished articles and chemical stockpiles. "Unless provision is included in the permit to re-route such possible contaminated runoff away from the recharge area of the aquifer, the con- struction of factories in these areas should be not be permitted". MEPA replied that these develop- ments would be considered on a case by case basis to allow "consultations" with other agencies on these safety aspects to take place. Vella insists on potassium perchlorate quota Vella agrees with the government's stance that more fireworks factories are needed to improve safety. But he also warned that the situation would worsen if the development of more factories is not accompanied by quo- tas limiting the use of potassium per- chlorate. "Unless the amount of this material is limited by law, the policy to allow more fireworks factories to come on stream may not serve sufficiently to ensure a safe and accident free fu- ture". A report authored by a commission chaired by Vella in 2011 concluded that MEPA's apparent unwilling- ness to approve new firework fac- tories was an "additional risk factor militating in favour of increased fre- quency of fireworks manufacturing accidents". While the main cause of fireworks manufacturing accidents is human error largely due to lack of attention to proper safety practices, pressure of work to meet possibly unrealistic production targets and deadlines have also contributed to accidents. According to Vella, permitting new factories and upgrading old factories could reduce this pressure on exist- ing facilities. But while seeing a need for more factories Vella insists on the need of limiting the importation of certain chemicals like potassium perchlo- rate. "It is a dangerous situation to allow the industry to manufacture, almost without limit, as many fireworks as it determines since use of potassium perchlorate is currently not regu- lated". According to Vella controlling the use of this chemical will result in capping the amount of fireworks that can be manufactured and thus "calm the pressure to produce more fire- works", something which at present, "is only controlled by financial con- siderations". According to Vella there is clear ev- idence that for at least three months during the summer, the air quality over both Malta and Gozo is significantly and negatively influenced by metal-containing wastes deriving from fireworks dis- plays. "There is clear evidence of contam- ination by perchlorate of local dust fall, house dust, and also crops and occasionally drinking water and the only known significant source of perchlorate in Malta is fire- works." Vella concludes that unless a per- chlorate quota to limit total pro- duction is introduced "the planning policy threatens to become a vehicle for profound and insidious environ- mental degradation and a health risk to all persons living on the islands". Impact on landscape A new policy regulating the de- velopment of fireworks factories in ODZ areas does not outrightly ban such developments in areas of high landscape value. The policy was approved by the Prime Minister on November 3. While locating fireworks in these areas is not "disqualified" propos- als in these areas "would need to be examined on a case by case basis" MEPA said in reply to a submission by a Gozitan fireworks manufactur- er, Angelo Parnis. The fireworks manufacturer argued there is a need for the construction of new fireworks factories in Gozo, given that there is a large number of licences (about 150) and just three licensed factories. He also noted that the only areas where such factories can be devel- oped consist of areas of high land- scape value, scheduled sites or areas of scientific value. "This would restrict the develop- ment of such factories in Gozo, with a risk for the proliferation of illegal factories on the island." But MEPA rejected his proposal to restrict the prohibition of fireworks development to Grade 1 sites. In fact the prohibition also applies to Grade 2 sites, including all Natura 2000 sites. But development is not banned in buffer zones to these sites and in areas of high landscape value. In August an application to devel- op a brand new fireworks factory was presented by the Tal-Karmnu pyro- technics society in the open country- side in the area known as Ta' Anglu in Munxar. The MEPA had previously rejected three applications to develop a fire- works factory on the same land or on adjacent land parcels. The proposed factory is being pro- posed over 7,050 square metres of undeveloped land and is scheduled as an area of high landscape value. The construction of new fireworks factories is not permitted by the Gozo and Comino Local Plan. Under this plan "there is a general presump- tion against new fireworks factories in Gozo". But this categorical exclusion of any such development may be overruled by the new policy regulating the de- velopment of fireworks factories. Farmers against new policy In their submissions to MEPA a group of local farmers in Gharb claimed that it is already difficult for them to cultivate their land due to the presence of three fireworks fac- tories scattered in the countryside in the area. They claimed that although farm- ers had to abandon much of their land they still had to conform with the law which puts the onus on the farmer to keep buffer zones around factories clear of any material to pre- vent any danger from fires. They also expressed concern on their safety, noting that large build- ing debris which was blown out from the factories reached the distance of about 700-800 metres during the last three explosions. "Thank God two explosions hap- pened on Sundays and the other ex- plosion happened at night". The farmers argue that that the presence of these factories makes it difficult to develop agri tourism fa- cilities. According to the farmers there is no more space for more fireworks factories in the countryside around Gharb. "The existing fireworks fac- tory can cater for all the fireworks needed during the festive season and furthermore these can be bought from Malta if there is an increase in demand," they say. According to the new policy fire- works factory complexes (new and existing) are to have a designated safety buffer zone around them in accordance with the relevant legisla- tion. Within such zones no further development is to be permitted that may jeopardise the continued opera- tion and/or licensing of the said fire- works factory complexes. Farmers are the most likely to be affected. An insurance industry representa- tive also called for a legal provision obliging fireworks factories to be- come the owners of the surround- ing buffer zone. In this way farmers would not be exposed to danger while being on their own property. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Fireworks factories applications near water galleries and in Areas of High Landscape Value to be decided on a "case by case" basis under new policy Fireworks factories can pose threat to water galleries