Grit blasting samples still being evaluated

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is still evaluating the results of a laboratory analysis of samples taken in September in a bid to establish whether hazardous waste was illegally deposited in an area which had been cemented over by Palumbo in 2012.

A spokesperson for MEPA confirmed that the authority has received a laboratory report of the material collected from the Palumbo shipyards three months ago. 

“This report is currently being evaluated prior to a decision of what further enforcement action is to be taken”.

In a statement issued in September the authority said it started investigating the Palumbo site after it received a tip off that quantities of grit blasting material were buried under the concrete foundations.

From initial investigations conducted by MEPA it resulted that grit blasting waste generated by Palumbo’s operations had been used in the foundations of the yard and was buried under the concrete flooring.

It was reported that the authority was collecting various samples of the unearthed waste material to send for testing to determine what procedures and safeguards it needs to take.

Palumbo insists that the area from where MEPA officers took their samples was used as a grit blasting and spraying section before it took over the yard and was covered in concrete to create space for boat storage.