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SOURCES CLOSE to the authorities yesterday told MaltaToday that further tests will probably show that the seawater in the Bahar ic-Caghaq area has heavy metal residue in it from the Maghtab landfill.

In last week’s issue, MaltaToday highlighted the fact that the authorities’ decision to issue a notice banning swimming in the area needed further explanation.

And Alternattiva Demokratika Chairman, Harry Vassallo also yesterday insisted that the public has a right to know exactly what type of chemical pollution has been traced at Bahar ic-Caghaq.

Dr Vassallo also emphasised that the public should be informed of the potential health hazards of swimming in the area.

The hazards of swimming in polluted areas are being highlighted this year. But the authorities are still a long way off from completing the tests they need to do on the water.
A spokesman for the Environment Protection Department told MaltaToday that the tests which had shown traces of chemical sea pollution at Bahar ic-Caghaq had been conducted by third parties.

"Until we have carried out our own tests, we have no proof of what chemical residues there are, but I have to admit we are not surprised by the results. Everyone knows about the problem with the Maghtab landfill. It is simply that, at present, there is no proof," Joseph Callus said.

Mr Callus told MaltaToday that the department would now be undertaking its own tests, over a period of time and that the swimming ban had been issued as a preventive measure.
He added that although the recommendation given to the department of public health had been to ban swimming at Bahar ic-Caghaq, he was also concerned about the quality of the air in the area.

This may be a problem, since although the public may be discouraged from swimming in the area’s seemingly clean water, it remains to be seen as to whether barbecue fans will be put off by the prospect of inhaling toxic fumes.

The department is now expected to carry out tests for both heavy metals and dioxins in the area.

Kicking off its ‘Clean our Seas’ summer campaign yesterday morning at Qalet Marku Bahar ic-Caghaq, Dr Vassallo fixed a makeshift warning sign at the beach which states ‘Periklu: Bahar Imniggez -Tghumx’ (Danger: Polluted Sea – No Swimming).

He explained that AD has, for a long time, suspected that pollution in the bay was connected with toxic emissions from the Maghtab waste dump, emphasising that the authorities' comment that tests carried out in the area showed a slight evidence of chemical, but no micro-biological pollution is an indication of this suspicion.

The fact that no microbiological pollution was found simply means that there was no evidence of sewage in the waters in the area, while other types of pollution can, in fact be far more dangerous, he said.

Dr Vassallo explains, "This indicates the result of years of laissez-faire in the Maghtab rubbish mountain. AD insists that the public has the right to know which chemical pollution was traced, as well as to be informed of the potential dangers this pollution causes to peoples' health.”