Occupational Health and Safety Authority staff are investigating a smell at the President’s Palace which was smelled by members of Parliament and employees on Wednesday evening.

Preliminary investigations revealed the presence of volatile organic compounds which are used in various household products such as paints, paint strippers, thinners, fuel and pesticides, among others. The level of VOCs found at Parliament was not a health hazard but the OHSA inspectors had to determine exactly the source of these compounds in the air.

The investigations continued yesterday morning when OHSA inspectors and members of the Civil Protection Department investigating the emissions found what could have been the possible source.

In a statement, the OHSA said more investigations were under way and employees of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority were assisting the investigating team.