The air in Podgorica and Nikšić was more polluted yesterday and this morning than in Pljevlja, while morning concentrations of PM10 particles in those two cities were up to twice as high as the permitted values.
Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Agency Lidija Šćepanović pointed out in "Boje jutra" on TV Vijesti that the situation in Pljevlja remains complex, and that no significant improvement in air quality can be expected in the coming days. "At this moment, what I can say with certainty is that coal is the main culprit. Coal burning in the city itself, in Pljevlja... We have a large impact from traffic in Podgorica, and in certain locations, individual furnaces," she said, adding that unfavorable meteorological conditions and temperature inversion are further worsening the situation.
Dr. Borko Bajić from the Institute of Public Health, speaking about the initiative to procure air purifiers for schools and kindergartens in Pljevlja, pointed out that the Institute had not formally recommended such a measure as a systemic solution.
Dr. Bajić further explained that most commercial air purifiers with HEPA filters do not remove gases such as sulfur dioxide.
"Also, these devices draw air into themselves, causing it to circulate and thus raising dust in the space," said Dr. Bajić.
He emphasized that precisely because of air circulation, purifiers require additional space maintenance measures.
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