The Ministry of Environment and Energy has issued an inspection procedure in the wake of the recent events, when the citizens complained about the dust and acid haze spreading around the Šibenik port.
Because of the dust that has been transmitting to the nearby neighbourhoods during the transfer of cargo in Šibenik port, which has turned into the acid haze on Saturday night, the Ministry of Environment and Energy is carrying out an inspection, reports Šibenik IN on September 26, 2017.
“As a port specialized for bulk cargo transhipment, mainly of raw phosphate and artificial fertilizers, Luka Šibenik company has a closed system with four fixed emission sources of airborne pollutants that are equipped with filter units and that meet the prescribed regulations,” informs the Ministry. They explain, however, that depending on the quality or the granulation of phosphate, unusual dust may occur. The last such report of the unusual dust was submitted in December 2016 and referred to the powdered phosphates emitted during the transshipment.
“An inspection of the operation of the closed filter system for phosphate tansfer and measures to prevent intensified dusting has been issued, and another compressor has been added to the operation process of the phosphate transfer system and with the maximum load of the system, the environmental pollution has been reduced,” states the competent ministry adding that the inspection procedure in the case of Luka Šibenik is still ongoing and that the public will be informed in due time of the specific details.
As we have already reported, the citizens of Šibenik haven been warning and complaining for months about the dust and haze caused by the harbour transshipment of bulk cargoes that are shipped using cranes instead of specialized vacuum pumps. On Saturday things escalated because the irritating dust, which has been getting into people’s cars and apartments, including balconies where people dry their laundry, has even polluted the air to the extent that the citizens felt an acidic tingling sensation in their mouth.
Photo: Morski.hr
County Center 112 and the police were informed of the case, while the inspectors from the Department of Nature Protection at the Ministry of Environment and Energy reported that they were familiar with the situation and that the inspection procedure was in progress.
“Although Luka Šibenik has all the transshipment permits, we need to go out on the field and check again if all the standards are met, especially because some of the harbor warnings have already been issued,” said the 112 center inspectors on Saturday night The President of the Management Board of the Company Luka Šibenik, Davor Škugor also issued an apology, explaining that the fog was caused owing to circumstances beyond their control and that it does not pose a threat to health. “As the cargo was transporting the urea mineral by train, certain wagons experienced a temperature shock, creating the completely harmless fog”, explained Škugor, adding that they are doing their best to reduce the air pollution.
Translated from ŠibenikIN
