Aside from atmospheric rainfall improves air quality

In recent days, measurements have shown that microns have reached 350, only in the town of Pristina.

So says Ilir Morina, chief executive of the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency, in which measurements of air quality in the country are made on daily grounds.

We receive daily reports of air quality in Kosovo from eight online stations measuring air quality in Pristina, Obilic, Drenas, Mitrovica, Prizren, Han of Elez and Gjilan. The situation this year compared to last year has been much better, but there have been nights when it passed the rate of two to three times”, Morina said.

We haven't reached 350 microns, and it happened two nights ago, until Monday was the most improved situation, so the last 24 hours were in the normal soias. Last week we had a few nights of bigger overcoming. But, compared to last year, we have half a few days ahead of the allowed”, Morina said.

The thermocentrics (Kosovo A and B) are considered to be the main sources of air pollution, especially in Pristina's suburb, Obilic and Fushë Kosovo, but pollution values are widely estimated to add vehicles to circulation, especially older ones, as well as the use of coal for heating in urban areas. Contaminated, added to the other factor, the non-addicted waste management.

On the other hand, Trim Ilazi, environmental protection activist, says the Kosovo government has done nothing to improve air quality. The days or nights when air has improvements, according to Ilazi, are the result of climate conditions, respectively, when there are declines and winds in the country.

We're in the third consecutive year that we get air quality results, since data has been published, even as long as there's been a lot of legal documents, resolution and even a mention that it's going to enter the Constitution on air quality, the reality is that the situation is the same. The only advantage is climate conditions to improve quality (air). The tools are too small to be dedicated to this problem, and until we have a priority on the part of the government, there are not expected to be changes”, says Ilazi.

On the other hand, there is a large increase in residents, especially in Pristina, which has a lot of rising collective buildings, and therefore the establishment of pollutants. What was supposed to be done is expand cogeneration for residents in Pristina and become a plan that regulates urban structure as well as a literal public circulation, which is reflected in air quality. But the slowdown of the process itself shows a lot. And if the air quality is improving it's only the fate of climate conditions and not the success of any institution”, Ilazi said.

A report by the European Environment Agency, published at the end of October (2018), which refers to 2015 data, says that the number of premature deaths from pollution - related diseases is 3700.

Even health professionals in Kosovo say high levels of air pollution are seen as potential health risks, but also human life. This pollution is seen as a potential threat to chronically ill people, including children.

The University Clinical Centre of Kosovo's Clinical Clinic says that especially in the winter season, the number of children affected by respiratory diseases, or even lung diseases, and that one of the causes is contaminated air.

Muharrem Avdiu, pediatric at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, has said in December that cases with these diseases have already begun to increase and that such a situation could last until May.

“We lack data that could help us clarify this problem. But from experience in the clinic, we find that especially during wintertime, respiratory infections increase. We have departments, but kids looking for help, don't get spaces here, so we distribute them to all clinics”, Avdiu said.

A citizen wears a mask on his face during the protest against air pollution. Pristina, 31

In his view, there are times when they are forced to put two children in a bed.

Health problems caused by polluted air are obvious, he points out, but he believes that when the pollution factor can lead to death, it is less than that, Avdiu points out.

However, the United Nations Organization Report says that the most basic air has already become a luxury in many parts of the world. It says that implementation of this clean air project will cost $300-600 billion annually. / REL