After previously recorded elevated concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in Pljevlja, the environmental inspection immediately went to the field on Sunday and determined that the automatic measuring station on the chimney of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant (TPP) was not functioning. Therefore, the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant was given a deadline of three days to state the reasons for the malfunction, and was also ordered to take measures without delay to bring the automatic emissions measurement system into a functional state.
In addition, it was ordered that emission measurements of pollutants in the air at the chimney of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant be carried out through an authorized professional institution - the Center for Ecotoxicological Testing (CETI), and the aforementioned measurements have already been carried out.
This was announced by the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić, who initiated a meeting regarding the situation in Pljevlja, which was attended by the Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović, the Director General of the Directorate for Health Care, Regulated Professions and Supervision of the Functioning of Professional Regulatory Bodies at the Ministry of Health Ognjen Delić, and the Director General of the Directorate for Lifelong Learning at the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation Jasna Jovanović.
Šahmanović emphasized that misinterpretation, politicization and publicizing of information contributes the least to resolving the situation in Pljevlja, and that it is important that all activities are coordinated and harmonized, the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS) announced.
"There is no alternative to the health of citizens. In accordance with the recommendations of the competent institutions, all necessary measures should be taken, and the energy sector is available for any further activity that is recommended," said the Minister of Energy and Mining.
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Delić announced that increased monitoring of health indicators has been established at the Pljevlja General Hospital and the health center, especially when it comes to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The collection and analysis of data on the number of outpatient examinations and hospitalizations is ongoing, and the Ministry of Health is in constant communication with the Institute of Public Health in order to assess the potential impact of air pollution on the health of the population. Citizens are advised to adhere to the recommendations of the Institute of Public Health, the statement said.
The Ministry of Health announced that, in accordance with the findings of the competent institutions, they will propose additional protective measures without delay if it is assessed that there is an increased health risk.
The conclusion of the meeting is to await the official findings of the Center for Ecotoxicological Testing (CETI), after which each institution, within its jurisdiction, will take appropriate measures and activities, the statement said.
It is added that all participants in the meeting expressed their full readiness for interdepartmental cooperation, with the aim of reaching the best and most efficient solution in the interest of protecting the health of citizens and the environment through joint and coordinated action, with urgent action within their respective areas of competence. They also appealed not to manipulate the misleading information that is being placed in the media these days, so as not to unnecessarily confuse the public, the MERS statement concluded.
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