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An inspection of the Gozo Decompression Chamber at Gozo General Hospital last December found that, although EU standards for compressed air for breathing apparatus set a limit of 500 ppm, during a trial run, the control readings of the unit panel showed carbon dioxide levels which were just under 10 times higher than the maximum standard limit.

George Peplow, who carried out the inspection, observed that the hospital’s boiler-house chimney was located very near the entry window vent to the air bank compressor intake. “It is possible that emission gases from this chimney as well as the incinerator chimney emissions may plume towards the compressor air intake system,” Dr Peplow wrote in his report which was tabled before Parliament yesterday.

“Although the prevailing westerly winds should blow the emissions away from the entry window for most of the year, the possibility of intake through the window vent cannot be excluded, especially during calm days and during southeast or northeast prevailing wind directions. Furthermore, the height of the window from the roof level may lead to dust deposits being drawn into the compressor.”

Dr Peplow said that one had to assume that the gas emissions from the chimney and incinerator consisted of high levels of carbon dioxide and other potentially hazardous gases. He added that the EU standards for compressed air for breathing apparatus should be the standard adopted for the quality control measurements of the compressed air tank.

Soda lime canisters should always be made available inside the chamber and it was essential to follow manufacturers’ instructions on the storage and handling of this material. (Soda lime is used to suppress the presence of carbon dioxide inside the chamber, but none was placed in the soda lime canister for the test.)

Dr Peplow said the emergency petrol-fuelled power supply generator should never have been installed near the intake mesh and it should be located outside the building in a purposely-built room.

Furthermore, there was no controlled airflow towards the open extractor ducting for the air bank compressor intake. “Air intake may flow through the entry door to the room, possibly with particles and fumes from the generator, as well as from the air conditioning outlet in the corridor a few centimetres from the entry door. A complete ducting system should be built to direct and control the air intake from the open window.”

Furthermore, the open window vent on the roof should have a proper protective duct to prevent entry of insects, pests and possibly vermin, Dr Peplow said.

He also called for proper standard filters on exposed ducting to the atmosphere and said it may be feasible to consider the redirection of the entry duct to face southwest.

The Hospital has been urged to alter the air bank cylinder room of the facility.

The report was tabled by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono following a parliamentary question by Evarist Bartolo of the Malta Labour Party.