Black smoke at an Qormi factory prompts an MP to push for clean air laws
Rosianne Cutajar says it is time to make heavy fuel oil illegal
Residents in Qormi have raised concerns about dark black smoke emitting from a factory in the locality, with Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar calling for heavy fuel oil to be made illegal.
In a video shared on social media on Monday, Cutajar showed dark smoke rising from what she described as a factory using heavy fuel oil (HFO). She said several residents had contacted her about the emissions and their impact on their health and quality of life.
“Several residents from Qormi have expressed their serious concern about the excessive smoke that is coming from this known factory in Qormi.”
She continued, “Although the use of HFO is currently not illegal, the impact on the health and quality of life of the residents must not be ignored.”
Cutajar said she had contacted the Directorate of Environmental Health and informed the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) about the case. Factory owners have pledged to take measures to reduce harmful emissions, she said.
Push for new laws
In her post, the MP described the case as a clear example of why legislation on heavy fuel oil needs to be updated. “The time has come for our law to be updated so that it reflects environmental realities and public health.”
Heavy fuel oil is a thick, low-grade fuel derived from the residual products of crude oil refining that is primarily used to power large ships and some industrial plants.
Heavy fuel oil was used to generate electricity for around 80 years, until 2017, when the old Delimara power station was switched off.
The legality of heavy fuel oil in Malta remains in a grey area. While no law explicitly bans its use, the Clean Air Act states that “dark smoke shall not be emitted from a chimney of any building, and if, on any day, dark smoke is so emitted, the occupier of the building shall be guilty of an offence.”
Residents commenting under Cutajar’s post described the situation as affecting their daily lives.
“There is a great need for it to stop because those of us who live nearby are ill with asthma and allergies. We have to take pills every day. You cannot even open a window.”
Among those who commented was Qormi mayor Josef Masini Vento, who said he agreed with Cutajar.
The Environment and Resources Authority was contacted for comment but had not replied by the time of publication.