Malta has avoided the latest round of PM10 air pollution infringement cases brought forward by the European Commission. But such was not the case with Slovenia and Sweden, which this week were referred to the European Court of Justice, as well as in the cases of Cyprus, Portugal and Spain, which have been given final warnings to comply with EU rules.

The European Commission is pursuing infringement proceedings against the five counties that have failed to comply with the EU’s air quality standards for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10.

“These particles,” the Commission said in a statement, “are emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating, and can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death.”

Malta is also facing infringement proceedings over its high PM10 pollution readings, but has requested an extension of up to mid-2011 to fall in line with levels established by EU legislation.

Speaking this week, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik commented on the issue, “Air pollution is bad for our health. Member states must comply with EU air quality standards quickly and reduce emissions. I am pleased to see that over recent years we have met PM10 limit values in a number of areas throughout Europe, but much more effort is still needed if we want full compliance.”

PM10 pollution levels are particularly high in the more built up areas of the islands, mainly due to traffic exhaust pollution, but has requested an extension up to 11 June 2011.

Under the EU’s directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, a member state can submit a notification for an exemption from the obligation to apply limit values for PM10. Malta has done so, but it is also far behind in reporting PM10 values to the EU.

According to the last annual air quality report for 2007, submitted to the Commission by Malta in December 2008, Malta’s PM10 limit values continued to be exceeded in the Sliema and Gzira areas, while NO2 concentrations had exceeded the limit, which came into force at the beginning of this year, by 25 per cent.

Following Malta’s notification for an extension, the Commission has nine months in which to assess whether the conditions attached to an exemption request have been met. The assessment process will allow the Commission to look in-depth at how air quality is being managed in the areas in question, including the impact of traffic management measures and urban development on air quality.

Under the directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, a member state can apply for an extension in meeting the PM10 level limits until 11 June 2011 only when, in a given zone or agglomeration, the target levels cannot be achieved because of site-specific dispersion characteristics, adverse climate conditions or trans-boundary contributions. That member state would also have to show – through an air quality plan detailing the pollution in question and laying out how conformity with the limits will be achieved before the new deadline – that all appropriate measures have been taken at national, regional and local level to meet the deadlines.

The state would also have to supply all the relevant information necessary for the Commission to carry out an assessment as to whether the conditions have been satisfied.