Efforts to discover the source of the black dust falling on southern towns have not yet yielded any results since the original samples were contaminated, The Sunday Times has learnt.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) said it was still in the process of taking samples to determine the source as residents continue to demand answers. Enemalta has denied accusations that the black dust is being emitted by the Marsa power station.
Residents in Sta Luċija, Fgura, Paola, Tarxien, Żabbar and Żejtun complained last July that soot-like dust was covering their roofs and cars over the course of several weeks.
Mepa said it is now working with the Fgura council to carry out further collection and analysis of the black dust. Last August, samplers were placed at Triq il-Karmnu, Triq Hompesch, Ġnien Patri Redent Gauci, and Triq l-Iskola.
But the authority said the process was proving difficult since the black dust seemed to have diminished.
A spate of bad weather last month also hindered the sampling, Mepa said.
Meanwhile, Fgura mayor Darren Marmara' confirmed that some weeks ago Mepa asked for the local council's help to collect samples. The council offered its two premises and the club house, and residents' homes were also made available.
He said: "From the very beginning till today they are still collecting samples and each time they collect one they say it is contaminated.
"We urge them to collect a proper sample, run analyses, determine the type of dust, identify the health hazards, point out the source and take action to stop it.
"But Mepa is stuck at level one - collecting samples."
Fgura resident Kenneth Scicluna sent photos to The Sunday Times, taken on October 9, of black dust covering his vehicle after it was parked outside his home for the night. He contradicted Enemalta's statements that the black dust did not originate from the Marsa power station. He also provided photos showing the chimneys emitting smoke into the night sky.
"The chimneys do emit smoke; at times they do so at night. I cannot say whether this is to avoid public attention, but the strong lights in the area do not aid subterfuge, intended or otherwise," Mr Scicluna said.
The Fgura and Tarxien councils said this was not the first time that the southern towns were plagued by the black dust. Some years ago, several local councils had protested about the gritty-dust particles in their localities and had been promised that filters would be installed at the Marsa power station.
Yet in 'Enemalta's Generation Plan 2006-2015' it was acknowledged that pollution control equipment for the Marsa power station was "not economically viable".
The power stations were at the centre of a ruling by the European Court of Justice against Malta recently that hazardous gases emitted by the power stations exceeded the levels set by EU environmental rules. The emissions in question contribute to the formation of particulate matter, which is harmful to human health as well as to ecosystems and vegetation.
cmuscat@timesofmalta.com