Two hours after arriving home, the jacket reeks of smoke. Last night was catastrophic, is the comment of a Bijelopolje resident about the air situation in the city, which took over the infamous title of the most polluted city from Pljevlja last year.
This trend continues this year, according to the data available so far.
"What we see as one of the reasons are the subsidies that the citizens of Pljevlja had for using electricity and pellets, more environmentally friendly heating sources. The greater number of days with air pollution in Bijelo Polje compared to Pljevlja can be commented on in the context of fuel for heating used during the heating season and in the production processes of commercial facilities, where, as far as we have received information from citizens, there is also the use of waste oil (various waste oils, oils from car repair shops, oily rags...), plastic, waste tires...," he tells Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG) Aleksandar Perovic from the NGO "Ozon".
He adds that such destructive habits are related to the poor economic situation of citizens, and that they are contributed to by "the lack of effective punishment and banning of business entities that use anything and everything to reduce business costs."
Air pollution contributes to the premature death of around 1.000 people per year in Montenegro, according to an analysis of the State of Global Air 2025: A Report on Air Pollution and Its Role in the Leading Causes of Death Worldwide, published at the end of October by the Health Effects Institute from the United States of America (USA).
The analysis states that 890 deaths attributable to air pollution were recorded in Montenegro in 2023. Of the total number of lung cancer deaths in our country, according to this estimate, 17 percent were caused by air pollution in 2023. Of the total number of diabetes deaths, 19 percent are believed to be related to air pollution.
A global analysis found that air pollution remains the second most important risk factor for early death, right behind high blood pressure. Despite the enormous risk of air pollution, there are no regular statistics on this danger in Montenegro.
The Institute of Public Health told CIN-CG that in 2019, this institution participated in the development of a comparative study on the impact of air pollution in the region entitled "Air Pollution in the Western Balkans".
"The health risk assessment showed that air pollution shortens life expectancy by 13-16 months in cities in the Western Balkans and contributes to more than 15 percent of total deaths. When comparing cities, the highest mortality rate was estimated in Pljevlja, with a rate of 310 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants," the Institute said.
The data available to the Institute show that in 2022, the last year for which data was processed, in Montenegro, in addition to 710 premature deaths due to exposure to PM2,5 particles, there were also 140 premature deaths due to exposure to ozone, as well as 50 premature deaths due to exposure to nitrogen dioxide. A total of 900 premature deaths due to polluted air.
Milorad Mitrovic from the NGO Breznica from Pljevlja tells CIN-CG that studies by the Institute and individual NGOs are sporadically released to the public:
"These studies are relatively rare and/or outdated. What is lacking, as far as I know, is continuous epidemiological monitoring that could link specific pollutant concentrations to health outcomes in the population."
He states that certain NGOs "assume the right to present data on how polluted air actually affects mortality, namely claims that air pollution contributes to around 1.200 premature deaths per year in Montenegro, with particulate matter (PM) being the main culprit."
"I think that this data is incorrect and that the number of premature deaths is far higher than stated in their research, if they did it at all," says Mitrović.
Levels of PM10, PM2,5 and benzopyrene regularly exceed permissible limits
"The monitoring network is functioning, but it does not sufficiently cover the north of the country, where pollution is common (especially in Pljevlja and Bijelo Polje). Levels of suspended particles (PM10 and PM2,5) and benzo(a)pyrene regularly exceed permitted limits," warns the European Commission's 2025 report.
The annual average value of benzo(a)pyrene at measuring stations in Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Nikšić and Podgorica was above the prescribed target value, according to the Information on the State of the Environment in Montenegro for 2024, published by the Environmental Protection Agency at the end of October. Chemical analysis was performed on samples from all measuring points, where the concentration of PM10 particles in the air was monitored using the reference method, in order to determine the concentration, or content, of benzo(a)pyrene in PM10 particles.
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is an organic compound belonging to the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and is used as an indicator of their presence in the air. BaP is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group One carcinogen, meaning that there is sufficient evidence to support the carcinogenic properties of this compound.
Last year, the worst situation was in Bijelo Polje, where the average daily values of suspended particles PM10 were above the prescribed limit value for 103 days (35 days are allowed). In Pljevlja, the average daily values of PM10 particles were above the prescribed limit value for 95 days. In Podgorica, the increase in values at the Zabjelo measuring point was recorded for 61 days, and in Block V, there were 55 average daily concentrations above the limit value. In Nikšić, the increased value was recorded for 40 days.
The Institute states that there is increasing evidence showing that the impact of exposure to PM particles occurs even at PM particle concentrations lower than the current limit values recommended by the European Union, namely our Regulation on the Determination of Types of Pollutants, Limit Values and Other Air Quality Standards, as well as the World Health Organization's 2015, which are used as references.
The Agency's Information states that the worst air quality is recorded in the periods January-March and October-December, which coincides with the heating season and intensive use of individual and collective fireplaces.
"The main causes of increased concentrations of pollutants are the use of solid fuels for heating, traffic, and unfavorable meteorological conditions that make it difficult to disperse emissions," the Information states.
According to the WHO's Health and Environment Report for Montenegro, 38 percent of the population does not use clean fuels and technology for cooking and heating. In addition, in the last 15 years, more than 1.000 large forest fires have been recorded in Montenegro, burning an area of about 15.300 hectares and damaging or destroying about 500.000 cubic meters of wood raw materials.
"Research conducted in 2020 showed that airborne particles originating from fires increase the risk to aquatic ecosystems, with a particular impact on Lake Skadar. This has consequential implications not only for the lake itself, but also for the surrounding tourist centers, increasing the risk to locations related to tourism," the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2025-2035 states.
The only visible progress made in recent years is that citizens have daily data on the air quality in five municipalities - Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Podgorica, Nikšić and Bar. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Institute of Public Health and the NGO Ozon have developed the application vazdut.me for monitoring the current state of air quality. Data from the application is broadcast daily by television stations as part of their weather reports.
Outdated air quality measuring equipment
The air quality report of the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology for last year points out that the air quality monitoring network during 2024 still had outdated equipment, but the purchase of automatic measuring stations is planned.
"The implementation of the planned work program for last year was carried out with great problems, due to the failure of worn-out air sampling equipment and restrictions on budget funds intended for the implementation of the program, which is why a number of stations temporarily ceased operation," the Institute's report states.
"During 2024, a slight deterioration in air quality was recorded in the Northern Zone compared to 2023," states the recently published Information on the State of the Environment in Montenegro for 2024.
Mitrović recalls that the Agency's Information for 2023 noted that that year there was an improvement in air quality in the northern and central zones compared to previous years (2021-2022).
“The paradox is that, although there was an improvement trend in 2023, 2024 brings deterioration, which suggests that improvement measures are incomplete and that there is a risk of a 'reversal',” says Mitrović.
He points out that it is very important to cite the IJZ estimates that link pollution to mortality and morbidity, and that this gives weight to the problem and leaves it not just as a technical issue of air quality, but as a public health crisis.
"More serious and comprehensive research needs to be done here on the connection between measured pollutant emissions and health parameters (respiratory diseases, hospitalizations, premature deaths, abortions, etc.). However, no one is doing this. The recommendation would be to strengthen monitoring (more measuring stations, more regular reporting) and greater transparency towards the public," says Mitrović.
Pollution affects the lungs, heart, brain
According to data provided to CIN-CG by the Institute, based on analyses by the European Environment Agency (EEA), premature deaths due to exposure to PM2,5 particles in Podgorica ranged from 169 to 333 people from 2005 to 2022. At the level of Montenegro, premature deaths due to pollution amounted to 1.032 people, in 2021 - 1079, in 2022 - 710.
"Although there is a visible trend of decreasing premature deaths from exposure to PM2,5 particles compared to 2005, it can be considered that the impact of polluted air on the health of the population is significant and much greater than can be estimated using existing accepted scientific tools, especially when, in addition to the aforementioned pollutants, the impact of all other air pollutants in households and the outdoor environment that cannot be adequately measured or quantified is taken into account," says Dr. Borko Bajić, a hygiene specialist at the Institute's Center for Hygiene and Health Ecology.
Air pollution poses a risk for disease and premature death, and is most associated with stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and other organs, diabetes, cognitive impairment and neurological diseases, says Bajić.
Over the past two decades, knowledge about the harmful effects of low concentrations of common air pollutants including PM10, PM2,5 particles and benzo(a)pyrene has been steadily increasing.
The Institute states that inhalation of these pollutants leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression and mutagenicity in cells throughout our body, affecting the lungs, heart, brain, all other organs and ultimately leading to the development of disease. Children, the elderly and pregnant women are more susceptible to diseases caused by air pollution. Genetics, comorbidities, diet and sociodemographic factors influence a person's susceptibility to air pollution.
Short-term exposure to high levels of PM particles can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and worsening asthma. Long-term or chronic exposure to PM particles increases a person's risk for diseases such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.
Due to their small size, PM 2,5 particles can easily enter the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the body, leading to systemic tissue and cell damage and inflammation.
A country without an air quality management strategy
The EC report for 2025 notes that Montenegro's legislative framework in this area is partially aligned with EU directives, but that implementation is insufficient, and that the Air Quality Management Strategy and the accompanying Action Plan have not yet been adopted.
"Regarding protection measures against high-level air pollution, the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro has recently sent letters to local governments and the ministry responsible for the environment with recommendations, requests and examples from other countries to adopt plans for intervention measures due to air pollution, in order to reduce the harmful effects of PM particles and protect the health of the population in an organized manner through the joint action of various sectors," warns Bajić.
We did not receive any answers from the institutions when asked why the plans were not made.
According to the Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2025-2035, the Ministry of Health should monitor the health impacts of climate change, including respiratory problems caused by air pollution. The Ministry of Health referred us to the Institute of Public Health.
Bajić states that "the adoption of a new Law on Amendments to the Law on Air Protection is expected, which should be harmonized with the new European Union Directive on Air Protection from November last year, which places additional requirements and obligations regarding ensuring air quality."
The Ministry of Ecology did not respond to CIN-CG's questions about when the Strategy will be completed, what the amendments to the Law envisage, and what the Ministry is doing regarding air pollution and its impact on citizens' health.
The data for this year also shows that partial harmonization with EU laws does not lead to improvements in practice.
"When it comes to projections for the current year, for the northern zone, where automatic stations are present in Pljevlja and Bijelo Polje, according to data from the State Air Quality Monitoring Network, as of November 1, there were 49 days in Pljevlja with exceedances of the average daily values of PM10 suspended particles, and 47 days in Bijelo Polje," says Perović.
He explains that there is a similar trend as last year, considering that the last two months, November and December, are characterized by severe pollution.
"Whether there will be a few days less is irrelevant to the conclusion that the problem remains present. The overhaul of the Pljevlja TPP only eliminates one of the sources of cumulative air pollution, and the final conclusion will be able to be made after commissioning and a comparative analysis with the previous period," says Perović.
Mitrović wonders why relevant state institutions are not answering the question: what are the long-term measures to keep emissions from TPPs under control and whether the overhaul is being used as an opportunity for modernization and reduction of harmful emissions.
"With the cessation of the thermal power plant (at least temporarily) a significant reduction in SO emissions is expected."2 and particulate matter (PM) that comes directly from the combustion of fossil fuels at that plant. This should theoretically contribute to improving air quality, especially in settlements near the TPP.”
According to measurements so far, there has still been no significant improvement.
A fundamental threat to public health
According to a regional analysis by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), air pollution is among the most fundamental environmental threats to public health in the countries of Southeastern Europe, including Montenegro. In our region, the mortality rate related to air pollution is significantly higher than in Western Europe. SoGA = State of Global Air, a key reference source for mortality and health effects of air pollution globally and regionally.
In a regional analysis, about 26 percent of deaths from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in Montenegro are attributed to air pollution.
“According to HEI/SoGA, the mortality rate from total air pollution in Montenegro in 2019 is 91,0 (UI 69,2-114) according to the national GBD estimate, while the regional model for Southeast Europe gives a value of 119 (UI 89,8-151). The mortality attributed to ozone is 1,08 (UI 0,47-1,78), and the mortality attributed to household pollution is 27,1 (UI 8,75-58,2). The average death rate in our region due to total pollution is 113 deaths/100.000 inhabitants in 2019, after declining from ~124 in 2010.
The worst situation is in North Macedonia, PM2,5 128, due to total pollution 153, BiH 110, or 147 per 100.000 inhabitants, Serbia 121, or 145. The best situation is in Croatia, where the PM2,5 mortality rate per 100.000 inhabitants is 79,8, and the overall rate is 72,3.
According to SoGA/HEI, the average in Western Europe is ~ 50-60 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants: Germany: ~ 55 / 100.000; France: ~ 52 /100.000; Great Britain ~ 48/100.000...”.
In addition to the Balkans, the worst situation is in certain areas of sub-Saharan Africa and in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) where mortality rates are: 150-200+ /100.000 inhabitants.
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