Official data from the Environmental Protection Agency show that in Pljevlja in November, on 21 days the average daily values of PM10 particles were above the prescribed limit value of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, and on 14 days the measured values were above the tolerance limit.
In the previous month, 24 days of the average daily value of PM2,5 particles were above the target value of 25 micrograms per cubic meter prescribed on an annual level, with the aim of protecting people's health and with a deadline of 2015.
Unlike other Montenegrin cities that are bathed in the sun these days, Pljevlja has been shrouded in fog for almost a month.
Air pollution in Pljevlje should be a priority of the Government>>>
The highest concentration of PM10 particles was registered on November 30 at about 222 micrograms per cubic meter, which is four times more than the permitted limits.
The concentration of PM 2.5 particles was the highest on November 1 at over 97 micrograms per cubic meter, which is almost five times higher than the target values.
Of particular concern is the high level of benzo-a-pyrene in the air, which as the average value of weekly samples during November amounted to 4,17 nanograms per cubic meter, which is four times more than prescribed with the aim of protecting human health, and the deadline for reaching it by 2015. years.
Benzo-a pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon whose metabolites are mutagenic and highly carcinogenic. It is classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The permitted number of overdrafts during a calendar year is 35
In 2010, the IARC reported that more than 220.000 lung cancer deaths were linked to air pollution.
On one day, the average daily value of sulfur dioxide was above the prescribed limit value of 125 micrograms per cubic meter, on all one-hour average values of nitrogen dioxide were below the prescribed limit values, as well as the content of lead, arsenic, cadmium and nickel.
The agency recently announced that the most common reasons for the appearance of air pollution are emissions originating from industry, traffic and from combustion plants - collective and individual during the heating season.
"During the winter months, due to the use of solid fuels, wood and coal, there is a trend of increasing pollutants in the air, especially the concentration of PM10 and PM2,5 dust particles. In combination with meteorological phenomena, the problem becomes even more complicated, because it can lead to "concentration" of polluting substances in the ground layers of the atmosphere. The allowed number of overages during the calendar year is 35", the Agency states.
Suspended particles with a diameter of less than 10, as pointed out by the Agency, are among the most dangerous pollutants in the air.
When inhaled, they affect the resistance of the respiratory system and are deposited in the deepest parts of the lungs. Health problems start when the body starts to defend itself against these particles. They can cause or worsen asthma, bronchitis and other lung diseases, and thus reduce the body's overall resistance.
Although suspended PM10 particles have a negative effect on the entire population, especially vulnerable categories are children, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick.
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