Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/736806
7 YANNICK PACE A research paper published in the journal Xjenza has claimed that an analysis of dust samples collected between 2011 and 2013 have indicated that close to 100 tons of the chemical potassium perchlorate are used in firework displays each year, despite official importation figures being much lower. Potassium perchlorate (per- chlorate) is an oxidizing agent – a chemical used to produce the ox- ygen needed in order for the mix- ture inside the firework to burn. It is a lot safer to use than potas- sium chlorate, which is less stable and has caused a number of fatal accidents locally in the past. Despite its stability and better safety, exposure to perchlorate has been linked to decreased thy- roid function in humans as well as other developmental problems in animal models. Moreover, when mixed with metal such as aluminium powder, potassium perchlorate can also be used to make homemade explosives. But according to the Customs department, no potassium per- chlorate has been imported into Malta over the past four years. However imports from within the EU are reported to the NSO rath- er than the Customs department. National Statistics Office (NSO) statistics indicate that roughly two tons have been imported into Malta each year over the past four years. But this is roughly 50 times lower than the estimate present- ed in the paper titled 'Escalation of fireworks in Malta: environ- mental forensic evidence from perchlorate in dust fall' – which is co-authored by the Rector of the University of Malta, Alfred Vella. The importation of perchlorate from within the EU requires an importation licence issued by the Trade Services Directorate of the Commerce Department, how- ever a request for the number of licences issued remained unan- swered. The scientific estimate of the amount of perchlorate used is calculated using an emission fac- tor. This represents the percent- age of perchlorate that does not burn with the rest of the fire- work. Since a specific emission factor for Maltese fireworks is not known, the authors assumed a "possibly-inflated" value of 0.17% – meaning that for every kilogram used, 1.7g ends up in the surroundings. If this assumed emission factor is wrong, the estimated amount of perchlorate used could be lower or higher. However one fireworks factory licensee who wished not to be named told this newspaper that a week's fes- tivities require between 350 and 1,250 kg of perchlorate, depend- ing on how big the feast is. He said that Vella's estimate is exaggerated but he thinks that the real figure is close to 40 tons per year. While the use of potassium perchlorate for fireworks is not illegal, the fact that there is no easily accessible record of the amount being imported and used makes it harder to determine how much of it is finding its way into crops and the environment in general or if any of it is being used for reasons other than the production of fireworks. The Control of Fireworks and Other Explosives Regulations place a limit on the amount of certain agents a fireworks fac- tory can purchase in a given year. Factories can purchase up to 1,000kg of potassium chlo- rate and 3,200kgs of potassium nitrate and these must be col- lected directly from the Armed Forces of Malta. There is no such requirement for potassium per- chlorate. Fireworks regulations also re- quire factories to keep a register of the amount of perchlorate ob- tained by a factory and the quan- tity of it used. Servolo Delicata, a fireworks in- spector, said however that there is no central database where data from these registers is collected. "The register is kept and is also checked when inspections take place, however it is still in its infancy and is not audited prop- erly," said Delicata. Delicata added that the nature of the inspections is for "educa- tional purposes" and to check that certain aspects of health and safety are being complied with. He was also critical of aspects of Vella's study and said that he too finds the estimate of 100 tons ex- aggerated, saying instead that it is more likely 10 or 20 tons – still roughly ten times current NSO estimates. Charles Briffa, an importer of pyrotechnic chemicals, said that he estimates that he sells roughly two tons of perchlorate every year and that he is by no means the only distributor. He also stressed that his main priority is to ensure that nobody dies from accidents caused by the use of less stable chemicals and that "certain people" care about everything but the lives of those who produce fireworks. In response to a series of spe- cific questions by this newspa- per, a bland statement by the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security read: "Those working within the ministry fol- low the existing Explosives Ordi- nance and Control of Fireworks and Other Explosives Regula- tions that have been in effect for a long time, and see to it that the law is being observed." ypace@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2016 News The Chief Executive Officer notifies the issue of a Request for Information (RFI) from interested parties for the provision and management of catering services at the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC). The relative document can be obtained free of charge from the reception desk of the MCC during office hours as from Monday 10 October 2016. The requested information must reach the Administrative offices in hard copy by not later than 9.30 a.m. (CET) of Monday 7th November 2016. Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta Email: info@mcc.com.mt Request For Information Provision and management of catering services at the Mediterranean Conference Centre C M Y CM MY CY CMY K MCC advert_RFI_ENGLISHOct9.pdf 1 04/10/2016 12:42 PM Fireworks study suggests large amount of chemicals enters Malta unregistered Dust samples suggest anything up to 100 tons of potassium perchlorate being used for fireworks, but NSO records importation of just two tons