Environmental issues in North Macedonia

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A source of air pollution through the emission of exhaust gases in an urban area in the country.

Environmental issues in North Macedonia include air and water pollution, deforestation, threats to endemic species and climate change. There is substantial degree of pollution in the air, water and land of North Macedonia. According to 2019 estimates, the country is considered to have one of the highest degrees of pollution in Europe.[1]

Background[]

A video showing plastic litter being fished out of the river Vardar.

Some of the most frequently polluted areas in the country include urban regions. Nevertheless, pollution has been noticed in some of the rural areas as well.[2] Some of the most frequently polluted cities include the country's capital Skopje and bigger cities like Tetovo and Bitola.[2][3]

Monitoring of the air quality started being recorded in 1965 when samples of harmful substances were being collected. Since the 1990s, more modern technologies have been implemented throughout the country.[2] Airborne particles in Skopje have been estimated to exceed safety levels recommended by the World Health Organization by 20 times. Skopje is regularly ranked as one of the most polluted cities, both in Europe and the world. The PM10 levels in 2018 were above EU limits for 202 days.[4]

Effects on health[]

According to health research, it is estimated that approximately 1350 (2015)[3] and more than 3000 people (2019) died annually due to air pollution-related causes.[1] Additionally, air pollution in the country is known to contributes to lost productive days.[3] According to 2015 estimates, 253 million euros were lost, mainly due to premature death, health costs and reduced productivity.[3]

Organs that are primarily affected by pollution are the lungs and the cardiovascular system. The most vulnerable population includes children between the age of 0 and 5, elderly people, people with chronic diseases, asthma patients, people who work outdoors and smokers (who have an increased risk of cardiac arrest).[3] Children are particularly prone to bronchitis and other infections due to the smaller size of their airways.[4]

Main causes[]

The state of the air quality aggravates with the beginning of the heating season. Additionally, due to the country's location in a predominantly mountainous region and its Mediterranean climate, it is harder to tackle the problem.[2] The main causes of air pollution, in descending order of importance include:

  • Burning wood and using biomass Pellet fuels as a means of home heating during cold winters produces PM10 particles and carbon monoxide[1][3]
  • Old cars that do not meet EU emission standards and heavy traffics cause PM10 and carbon monoxide[1][2][3]
  • Industrial production processes
  • Garbage disposal by incineration[1]
  • Producing electricity using solid fuels-like coal and liquid fuels - nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide[3][2]
  • Population density; construction activities - dust; inadequate urbanization, production facilities Silmak and Teteks; geographical basin location - Tetovo[3]

According to an analysis of air pollution in the period between 2005 and 2015, there was a decrease in the level of sulfur dioxide while the levels of other pollutants only decreased very slightly or remained unchanged.[2] The same analysis found that the most important factors to tackle first include wood-burning heating systems and heavy traffic.[2] Some of the proposed solutions to tackle air pollution problems include better public transport, using solar heating and pedestrianizing the city center.[4]

Public reactions and government initiatives[]

Many initiatives have been taken by the locals and the government to tackle and raise awareness about the issue. An AirCare application has been developed by an engineering student to monitor pollution levels and it gained widespread use by the wider public.[4] Thousands of high school students protested on 20 December 2019 in front of the government building as part of global climate movements.[1]

The judiciary system in the country is responsible to take measures against air pollutants when there is enough evidence that pollution is harmful to health through central and local politics.[2] The country is receiving financial help from the European Union (EU).[2] The country's president, Stevo Pendarovski, has emphasized that more financing is needed to tackle the air pollution problem.[3]

In early 2020, after the allowed toxic particles were eleven times higher than recommended, the government announced some measures such as free working days for pregnant women and the elderly, reduced outdoor work and banned sports and outdoor activities.[5]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Testorides, Konstantin (20 December 2019). "North Macedonia: Hundreds protest dangerous air pollution". AP News. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Извештај за оценка на квалитетот на воздухот во Република Македонија за периодот 2005–2015 година" [A report of the assessment of air quality in the Republic of Macedonia in the period 2005-2015] (PDF) (Press release) (in Macedonian). Skopje. June 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Information about the air pollution in cities in the Republic of Macedonia and possible risks to health". Institute of Public Health of Republic of Macedonia. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Bateman, Jessica (2 July 2020). "The young people fighting the worst smog in Europe". BBC. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  5. ^ "North Macedonia Announces Urgent Measures Due To Severe Pollution". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.

Further reading[]

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