March 18, 2019 - Polluted air, which is mostly a consequence of the Pljevlja thermal power plant, takes more lives than traffic accidents every year, the Institute of Public Health warns.
"The annual premature mortality rate associated with exposure to polluting particles is 10 to 60 times higher than mortality due to traffic accidents or 2-20 times higher than mortality due to digestive system disease in Montenegro," said the "News" of the Center for Health Ecology Institute.
Last month, the Association of Environment and Health (HEAL) warned in its analysis that, for example, Pljevlja Thermal Energy Plant caused 35 early deaths in Montenegro in 2016, and if its influence is taken beyond the borders of the state, then the number of cases is 133.
The assessment of the health impacts in Montenegro in this HEAL report is based on data on the emission of harmful gases from the Elektroprivreda Montenegro in 2016.
The Center points out those scientifically based methodologies have been used in the process of assessing the impacts for the Balkans as well as Montenegro, which is why valid data is obtained.
They note that by the end of 2015 and early 2016 a study on air pollution assessment has been carried out on health and the findings of the study are presented in the document "Influence of air pollution on health in Montenegro". World Health Organization experts conducted the study with the support and assistance of local experts from the Public Health Institute and the Eco-toxicological Testing Center.
The analysis of the data on the exposure of the population with polluting particles in Podgorica, Pljevlja and Nikšić was based on the mean values of exposure and health status of the community for three years (2010-2012). Findings have shown that, per capita, the impact of pollution on health is considerably higher in Pljevlja than in other cities. "However, the absolute level of influence, expressed in the number of premature deaths, lost years of life or the number of hospitalisations as a result of exposure, is similar to all three observed cities. Study data for these three cities suggests that more than 250 premature deaths, 140 hospitalisations per year, as well as many other health consequences associated with exposure to particles whose concentrations exceed the values given in the WHO Guidelines for Air Quality.
Much of the load can be attributed to excessive air pollution that occurs in the winter months. This high pollution can be caused by combustion of solid fuels (wood and coal, mainly in Pljevlja) used for heating in households, as well as by reduced dispersion of pollution in the winter period. Combustion of solid fuels for food preparation and heating also significantly increases the total exposure to polluted air of tenants using solid fuel for combustion and warming due to direct emissions of indoor pollution, noted in the Center.
PM particles are the most crucial indicator of pollution affecting health throughout Montenegro. In Pljevlja, also SO2 reaches a high level and can change the appearance of respiratory symptoms. These effects overlap the effects of PM particles, as both types of pollutants emitted by coal burning are in high correlation, states in response.
The apparent problem of air quality in Pljevlja is the subject of numerous strategic documents, and action plans prescribe concrete measures.
"Unfortunately, so far the measures implemented have not yielded results that would solve this problem. Our expectations are that by building an infrastructure for the urbanization of the urban core of the city with a responsible and comprehensive approach of local self-government, business entities and state bodies, we finally begin solving this multi-ecologic problem, "they said from the Agency for Nature and Environment on" News " measures are underway on this issue to improve the situation.
The Agency's competence is to monitor the quality of air quality and to inform the public.
The presence of factors affecting air quality deterioration lasts for up to six months in Pljevlja.
"During those periods, the total annual number of overdrafts of suspended particles in Pljevlja was exceeded during 2018. Although the number of days with exceedances of average daily concentrations of PM10 particles was about 10% lower during 2018 compared to 2017, it continued to be of poor quality during the first and last three months of the year, which was generally at the annual level a poor rating for the urban part of the boating valley, "they added from the Agency.
Read the original article in Montenegrin at Vijesti
