Do sulphur dioxide concentrations in Malta meet EU air quality standards?

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) adversely affects the human respiratory system and damages water bodies, soils, vegetation and limestone buildings. It originates both from natural sources such as volcanoes, as well as human activities including fuel and biomass combustion. SO2 pollution from international shipping is also a matter of increasing concern. Sulphate particles combine with other atmospheric compounds to become important contributors to particulate formation.

National annual average SO2 concentrations decreased by 20 per cent between 2008 and 2009 (from 6.5µg/m3 to 5.2µg/m3) remaining well below the EU annual limit value (50µg/m3) and the EU critical level for the protection of vegetation (20 µg/m3). The decrease in SO2concentration is perhaps in line with the five per cent decrease in electricity generation in this period, together with the fall in fuel imports.

In addition, locality averages were all found to be below the EU and WHO limit value, and decreases were registered in almost all localities. The highest levels were recorded in Marsalforn (12.9µg/m3), followed by Paola (12.2µg/m3) and Fgura (11.9µg/m3). Victoria registered the lowest SO2 concentration in 2009 at 1.9µg/m3, decreasing from 3.3µg/m3 in 2008.

As in 2008, the daily average limit value and the hourly limit value were not exceeded at the three real-time stations in 2009.