Fireworks factories can pose threat to water galleries

Fireworks factories located in buffer zones for the Water Services Corporation’s potable water boreholes will be considered on “a case by case basis”, according to a newly approved planning policy.

But the new policy does not rule out such development completely, despite a stern warning by leading chemist Alfred Vella about the dangers posed by fireworks factories to the water supply.

In submissions sent to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Vella declared that allowing construction of such factories within the buffer zones of potable water boreholes or galleries “is not a good idea” unless very special and expensive precautions are taken to address the possibility of damage to the water table “from infiltration of seriously contaminated water.”

Materials used in fireworks manufacture consist of readily water-soluble substances such as nitrates, chlorates and perchlorates.

In the event of an accidental explosion, Vella warns, firefighters would have to douse a great deal of water on the burning structure and this water would likely pick up soluble toxic chemicals from the materials stored on site, including material from finished articles and chemical stockpiles.

“Unless provision is included in the permit to re-route such possible contaminated runoff away from the recharge area of the aquifer, the construction of factories in these areas should be not be permitted”.

MEPA replied that these developments would be considered on a case by case basis to allow “consultations” with other agencies on these safety aspects to take place.

Vella insists on potassium perchlorate quota

Vella agrees with the government’s stance that more fireworks factories are needed to improve safety. But he also warned that the situation would worsen if the development of more factories is not accompanied by quotas limiting the use of potassium perchlorate.

“Unless the amount of this material is limited by law, the policy to allow more fireworks factories to come on stream may not serve sufficiently to ensure a safe and accident free future”.

A report authored by a commission chaired by Vella in 2011 concluded that MEPA’s apparent unwillingness to approve new firework factories was an “additional risk factor militating in favour of increased frequency of fireworks manufacturing accidents”.

While the main cause of fireworks manufacturing accidents is human error largely due to lack of attention to proper safety practices, pressure of work to meet possibly unrealistic production targets and deadlines have also contributed to accidents. According to Vella, permitting new factories and upgrading old factories could reduce this pressure on existing facilities.

But while seeing a need for more factories Vella insists on the need of limiting the importation of certain chemicals like potassium perchlorate.

“It is a dangerous situation to allow the industry to manufacture, almost without limit, as many fireworks as it determines since use of potassium perchlorate is currently not regulated”.

According to Vella controlling the use of this chemical will result in capping the amount of fireworks that can be manufactured and thus “calm the pressure to produce more fireworks”, something which at present, “is only controlled by financial considerations”.

According to Vella there is clear evidence that for at least three months during the

summer, the air quality over both Malta and Gozo is significantly and negatively

influenced by metal-containing wastes deriving from fireworks displays.

“There is clear evidence of contamination by perchlorate of local dust fall, house dust, and also crops and occasionally drinking water and the only known significant source

of perchlorate in Malta is fireworks.”

Vella concludes that unless a perchlorate quota to limit total production is introduced “the planning policy threatens to become a vehicle for profound and insidious environmental degradation and a health risk to all persons living on the islands”.

Impact on landscape

A new policy regulating the development of fireworks factories in ODZ areas does not outrightly ban such developments in areas of high landscape value.

The policy was approved by the Prime Minister on November 3.

While locating fireworks in these areas is not “disqualified” proposals in these areas “would need to be examined on a case by case basis” MEPA said in reply to a submission by a Gozitan fireworks manufacturer, Angelo Parnis.

The fireworks manufacturer argued there is a need for the construction of new fireworks factories in Gozo, given that there is a large number of licences (about 150) and just three licensed factories.

He also noted that the only areas where such factories can be developed consist of areas of high landscape value, scheduled sites or areas of scientific value.

“This would restrict the development of such factories in Gozo, with a risk for the proliferation of illegal factories on the island.”

But MEPA rejected his proposal to restrict the prohibition of fireworks development to Grade 1 sites. In fact the prohibition also applies to Grade 2 sites, including all Natura 2000 sites. But development is not banned in buffer zones to these sites and in areas of high landscape value.

In August an application to develop a brand new fireworks factory was presented by the Tal-Karmnu pyrotechnics society in the open countryside in the area known as Ta’ Anglu in Munxar.

The MEPA had previously rejected three applications to develop a fireworks factory on the same land or on adjacent land parcels.

The proposed factory is being proposed over 7,050 square metres of undeveloped land and is scheduled as an area of high landscape value.

The construction of new fireworks factories is not permitted by the Gozo and Comino Local Plan. Under this plan “there is a general presumption against new fireworks factories in Gozo”.

But this categorical exclusion of any such development may be overruled by the new policy regulating the development of fireworks factories.

Farmers against new policy

In their submissions to MEPA a group of local farmers in Gharb claimed that it is already difficult for them to cultivate their land due to the presence of three fireworks factories scattered in the countryside in the area.

They claimed that although farmers had to abandon much of their land they still had to conform with the law which puts the onus on the farmer to keep buffer zones around factories clear of any material to prevent any danger from fires.

They also expressed concern on their safety, noting that large building debris which was blown out from the factories reached the distance of about 700-800 metres during the last three explosions.

“Thank God two explosions happened on Sundays and the other explosion happened at night”.

The farmers argue that that the presence of these factories makes it difficult to develop agri tourism facilities.

According to the farmers there is no more space for more fireworks factories in the countryside around Gharb. “The existing fireworks factory can cater for all the fireworks needed during the festive season and furthermore these can be bought from Malta if there is an increase in demand,” they say.

According to the new policy fireworks factory complexes (new and existing) are to have a designated safety buffer zone around them in accordance with the relevant legislation. Within such zones no further development is to be permitted that may jeopardise the continued operation and/or licensing of the said fireworks factory complexes. Farmers are the most likely to be affected.

An insurance industry representative also called for a legal provision obliging fireworks factories to become the owners of  the surrounding buffer zone. In this way farmers would not be exposed to danger while being on their own property.