Where in Serbia you breathe the most polluted air

In Europe, air pollution is the leading single health risk from environment, and the greatest blame for disease and mortality is attributed to fine polluting particles PM 2,5.

The European Environmental Agency estimated that excessive concentrations of these particles alone, in 2023 alone, prematurely claimed 182 thousand lives across the continent. writes Jelena Kozbašić for the Klima 101 portal.

However, residents of some regions and countries breathe more dangerous air than others. Therefore, the number of deaths caused by PM 2,5 is also higher. We in Serbia are among them.

Specifically, according to data from 2023, in our country, 188 premature deaths per 100.000 inhabitants are attributed to air pollution with PM 2,5 particles.

"The standardized mortality rate caused by PM 2,5 in Serbia is twice as high as that at the global level and almost four times as high as that in the developed countries of Western Europe," reveals prim. Dr. Elizabet Paunović, retired director of the European Center for Environment and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although the agency states that mortality has decreased by about 50 percent, from 378 deaths two decades ago (2005), it is still about three times higher than at the European Union level - 60 deaths caused by PM 2,5 per 100.000 inhabitants.

But the question is how reliable these older data are, adds the Climate 101 interlocutor.

"Taking 2005 as a reference year for Serbia does not necessarily give an accurate insight into the situation because at that time air quality monitoring had not yet been established in Serbia. However, data from the Institute for Health Effects in Boston indicate that the level of exposure to PM 2,5 particles has decreased since 2005, which is a positive trend."

And is this progress enough?

"If the death rate per 100.000 inhabitants is still four times higher than the developed countries of Western Europe, we cannot say that this is enough. This indicates the existence of a serious health problem that can be positively affected by measures to reduce air pollution."

A total of 12 regions of Southeast Europe record more than 200 premature deaths per 100.000 inhabitants

Our country is no exception to the rule: almost the entire region of Southeast Europe records more than or close to 150 deaths due to PM 2,5 per 100.000 inhabitants. And the pollution hotspots themselves, such as this one, have their own - even hotter sub-spots.

Where is the worst in Serbia?

The European Environmental Agency has produced a map that shows the mortality of the population due to air pollution, i.e. the increased level of PM 2,5 particles.

In 12 areas in Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, PM 2,5 is "responsible" for more than 200 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants.

In our country, the most critical PM 2,5 pollution is found in the Belgrade region, as well as in the Mačvan, Šumadija, Pomeranian, Danube, Nišava and Rasin districts. In other words, not only the capital was affected, but also some of the largest cities in the country with their surroundings, such as Nis and Kragujevac, but also Smederevo as a large industrial center, Šabac, Jagodina, Loznica...

Hot spots in North Macedonia and Albania

In North Macedonia, the highest mortality due to the increased level of PM 2,5 particles is recorded in the Skopje, Vardar and Southeast regions, as well as in Pelagonia, the largest basin in the country, where the cities of Bitol and Prilep are located.

These areas with high mortality also brought the national average to over two hundred: in North Macedonia, 222 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants are the result of air pollution with PM 2,5 particles, according to data from the competent European agency.

In addition, in the Skopje region - where the capital Skopje is also located - PM 2,5 caused as many as 301 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants in 2023, which makes this part of North Macedonia the absolute infamous champion.

Two more leading European pollution hotspots, with more than 200 premature deaths, are the region of Tirana and Durrës in Albania.

What is the solution

But black statistics are not the unchangeable fate of our region.

"It should be especially borne in mind that the risk attributed to polluted air for the development of disease and mortality can and must be significantly reduced," points out prim. Dr. Elizabet Paunović, "and that these mortality rates can be reduced. Each of these deaths can be prevented."

According to the doctor, the solution must be a combination of systemic (energy, traffic, industry, urban planning), but also social measures that must include subsidies and direct protection of the most vulnerable groups - such as children, pregnant women, chronic patients and the elderly population. And all this, with the consistent application of existing legal acts and their harmonization with the legislation of the European Union.

In this regard, Serbia already has a defined direction.

"The Republic of Serbia has adopted the Air Protection Program in the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is a strategic document that defines measures to reduce pollution and improve air quality", reminds Prime Minister. Dr. Paunović. "The action plan that follows it is focused on the transition to cleaner energy sources, reducing emissions from industry and traffic, as well as the replacement of combustion plants. This program should be implemented consistently, its implementation should be monitored and capacities for its application should be strengthened."

Numerous European countries have already successfully gone through this process, such as Finland, Sweden and Estonia, where a drop in mortality from PM 2,5 of over 90 percent was recorded, to a maximum of five deaths per 100.000 inhabitants, as well as Iceland, where the problem was almost completely eradicated.

Source: Air Conditioning 101