Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) wholeheartedly supports the firm stand taken by Government as regards bus owners who insist on defying the authorities by refusing to allow their buses to be tested for fuel emissions. The arrogant attitude of the Public Transport Association is not to be tolerated and it is time that the pollution caused by these buses is eradicated.

FAA asks the public to support the Government's stand on this issue. The pollution created by these buses is of a highly dangerous nature and the health of the public will continue to be endangered as long as these buses are allowed to run with engines that are defective, tampered with to save on fuel, not properly adjusted or being run on inferior fuel.

"The public needs to be aware of the serious threat to health from the black smoke emitted by these buses. This sooty smoke is extremely dangerous because it consists of minute particles called 'particulates' which are so fine that they can even be absorbed into the bloodstream" said Dr. George Debono, FAA committee member. An extensive study by the American Cancer Society showed that exposure to such particles results in an increase in lung cancer risk and shorter life span. This finding was subsequently confirmed by other studies. A study in Sweden suggested that exposure to this kind of pollution increases the risk of lung cancer by nearly 50%. This could mean that one in every three cases of cancer been caused by the kind of pollution emitted by these buses.

Furthermore, exposure to these pollutants also contributes to the enormously high rate of asthma in Malta, especially in those living near roads that carry heavy traffic. The prevalence of asthma or asthma-like symptoms in Fgura, which is an area exposed to pollution from heavy traffic, is among the highest ever recorded internationally.

Another serious finding in children exposed to such pollution is referred to as 'reduced lung function development'. This means that the lungs of children exposed to traffic pollution remain under-developed.

Anybody driving a diesel vehicle which emits this smoke is endangering the health not only of pedestrians and children in the vicinity of these buses, but of all people since the finer of these diesel particles, which are invisible and the most dangerous, remain suspended in the air for a very long time and penetrate our homes.

Government is to be congratulated for clamping down on the irresponsible behaviour of a group of people who are endangering the lives of our families and children so that they can save a little money. FAA therefore asks the public to stand firmly behind the Government on this issue and not to allow the bus drivers to hold the Government to ransom over such an important issue.

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