Asbestos concerns at consumers’ authority persist despite conflicting guarantees

Both the authority and the Ministry for Fair Competition, Small Business and Consumers claimed that the premises are free from hazardous asbestos, yet pictures of the panels clearly show that the they are not in a good state of repair.

The MCCAA was moved to the offices in Blata l-Bajda just over a year ago, after the government leased Mizzi House for €300,000 per year.

It later transpired that there are asbestos panels on a roof adjacent to the MCCAA offices; and the authority's air intakes of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system are in close proximity to the carcinogenic material.

Faced with complaints from employees, the authority claims that the 'legal value' of asbestos has not been exceeded inside the offices; however the amount of asbestos needed to cause health hazards - including cancer - has never been scientifically determined.

In a meeting held last month, the authority's employees were addressed by an expert engaged by the MCCAA on the situation in a clear attempt to stave off any employee discontent. However, MaltaToday is informed that the expert "almost" admitted that the panels are in a deteriorated state as some panels broke off the roof.

Following last month's heavy storms, the state of the panels worsened and this increased the risk of releasing deadly fibres in the air.

There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: mesothelioma and lung cancer which are fatal and asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening, which are less lethal.

A key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels, can increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos-related diseases are not immediately detectable, so protecting people from exposure is vital in order to prevent them from emerging in the future.

Despite the pictures showing the state of the panels and the legitimate concerns of the authority's employees, a spokesperson for the consumer ministry said: "The MCCAA has carried an investigation on the asbestos roof and it resulted that the premises are free from hazardous asbestos."

Following a report on MaltaToday last month, on a decaying asbestos roof, which potentially constitutes a health hazard to over 100 employees, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, said that there was no law that requires an employer to remove asbestos at his place of work.

In a statement, the OHSA said: "As a matter of fact asbestos, which is in a good state of maintenance and repair, should be left in place to avoid creating new and unnecessary risks which would be very difficult to control."

Another concern is related to a primary State school which is situated in close proximity of the building adjacent to the MCCAA.

Despite carrying out minor changes in the ventilation system, employees have confirmed with MaltaToday that the systems installed at the MCCAA are not adequate, especially considering that the offices are situated in a heavily polluted area. Although this is a minor improvement on the ventilation system, it does not constitute a major improvement needed to filter the pollution.

Ironically, the authority houses the Standards and Metrology Institute which among other things, sets standards for and enforces quality of life, safety, health and the protection of the environment.

For months, the employees have been demanding action to be taken but until recently, neither the unions representing the employees nor the OHSA took the authority to task over the health hazard.

In its reaction, the OHSA also pointed out that the risk is being created by a third party, which is not covered by OHS laws. "OHSA is not empowered at law to order the 'third party' to remove the asbestos solely because, in theory, it may cause a hitherto undemonstrated risk to neighbouring establishments," the authority's spokesperson said.

Posed with a question on the ownership of the property, a ministry spokesperson said: "With regards to the ownership of the property adjacent to Mizzi House, this is not something I can reply to since it has no connections with MCCAA. The place is used as a showroom for motor vehicles."

Contacted by MaltaToday, Mizzi Organisation would not confirm nor deny whether the building adjacent to the MCCAA belongs to the group.

Mizzi House belongs to the Mizzi Organisation, which holds various business interests including automotive; tourism and leisure; manufacturing; services; real estate and mechanical and engineering contracting.

Employees are seriously concerned about the situation and fear that action will only be taken when it is too late. However, since asbestos-related diseases do not emerge immediately when persons inhale high amounts of fibre, it might take years for any action to be taken.

The 10-year lease the government signed for Mizzi House in October 2011, with Mizzi Estates Limited stipulating that the government will pay €300,000 per annum for the first two years rising to 427,000 in 2021.

Over the 10-year period, the government will be paying €3.55 million to lease the main building and an additional €207,500 to lease the garage.

Before entering the political scene, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was the company lawyer of the Mizzi Organisation, for whom he also served as Group Chairman between 1989 and 1997.