Fireworks study suggests large amount of chemicals enters Malta unregistered

A research paper published in the journal Xjenza has claimed that an analysis of dust samples collected between 2011 and 2013 have indicated that close to 100 tons of the chemical potassium perchlorate are used in firework displays each year, despite official importation figures being much lower.

Potassium perchlorate (perchlorate) is an oxidizing agent – a chemical used to produce the oxygen needed in order for the mixture inside the firework to burn. It is a lot safer to use than potassium chlorate, which is less stable and has caused a number of fatal accidents locally in the past.

Despite its stability and better safety, exposure to perchlorate has been linked to decreased thyroid function in humans as well as other developmental problems in animal models. Moreover, when mixed with metal such as aluminium powder, potassium perchlorate can also be used to make homemade explosives.

But according to the Customs Department, no potassium perchlorate has been imported into Malta over the past four years. However imports from within the EU are reported to the National Statistics Office (NSO) rather than the Customs department. 

NSO statistics indicate that roughly two tons have been imported into Malta each year over the past four years. But this is roughly 50 times lower than the estimate presented in the paper titled ‘Escalation of fireworks in Malta: environmental forensic evidence from perchlorate in dust fall’ – which is co-authored by the Rector of the University of Malta, Alfred Vella.

The importation of perchlorate from within the EU requires an importation licence issued by the Trade Services Directorate of the Commerce Department, however a request for the number of licences issued remained unanswered. 

The scientific estimate of the amount of perchlorate used is calculated using an emission factor. This represents the percentage of perchlorate that does not burn with the rest of the firework. Since a specific emission factor for Maltese fireworks is not known, the authors assumed a “possibly-inflated” value of 0.17% – meaning that for every kilogram used, 1.7g ends up in the surroundings. 

If this assumed emission factor is wrong, the estimated amount of perchlorate used could be lower or higher. However one fireworks factory licensee who wished not to be named told this newspaper that a week’s festivities require between 350 and 1,250 kg of perchlorate, depending on how big the feast is.

He said that Vella’s estimate is exaggerated but he thinks that the real figure is close to 40 tons per year.

While the use of potassium perchlorate for fireworks is not illegal, the fact that there is no easily accessible record of the amount being imported and used makes it harder to determine how much of it is finding its way into crops and the environment in general or if any of it is being used for reasons other than the production of fireworks. 

The Control of Fireworks and Other Explosives Regulations place a limit on the amount of certain agents a fireworks factory can purchase in a given year. Factories can purchase up to 1,000kg of potassium chlorate and 3,200kgs of potassium nitrate and these must be collected directly from the Armed Forces of Malta. There is no such requirement for potassium perchlorate.

Pyrotechnic chemical importer Charles Briffa estimates he sells roughly two tons of perchlorate every year

Fireworks regulations also require factories to keep a register of the amount of perchlorate obtained by a factory and the quantity of it used. 

Servolo Delicata, a fireworks inspector, said however that there is no central database where data from these registers is collected.

“The register is kept and is also checked when inspections take place, however it is still in its infancy and is not audited properly,” said Delicata.

Delicata added that the nature of the inspections is for “educational purposes” and to check that certain aspects of health and safety are being complied with. He was also critical of aspects of Vella’s study and said that he too finds the estimate of 100 tons exaggerated, saying instead that it is more likely 10 or 20 tons – still roughly ten times current NSO estimates.

Charles Briffa, an importer of pyrotechnic chemicals, said that he estimates that he sells roughly two tons of perchlorate every year and that he is by no means the only distributor.

He also stressed that his main priority is to ensure that nobody dies from accidents caused by the use of less stable chemicals and that “certain people” care about everything but the lives of those who produce fireworks. 

In response to a series of specific questions by this newspaper, a bland statement by the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security read: “Those working within the ministry follow the existing Explosives Ordinance and Control of Fireworks and Other Explosives Regulations that have been in effect for a long time, and see to it that the law is being observed.”