Skopje, 8 January 2025 (MIA) — In response to the dangerous levels of PM2.5 and PM10 reported nationwide, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning has reminded environmental inspectors across the country to perform their duties of monitoring and enforcing regulations related to air quality.

The unhealthy air problem was not alleviated by the "unfavorable weather conditions that additionally contribute to increasing ambient air pollution," the environmental authorities said in a press release.

They called on inspectors working for the City of Skopje and all local self-government units to do their jobs in line with existing air quality legislation.

Under Article 27 of the Law on Ambient Air Quality and the government's 2024-25 Heating Season Action Plan, municipal inspectors needed to "prepare and adopt short-term action plans" specific to the pollution in their own municipality, the release said.

In line with those plans, municipal inspectors should be conducting unannounced field inspections of B-integrated environmental permit holders and issue higher fines to entities burning oil, plastic and other hazardous substances.

Also, according to the Ministry of Environment, municipal street cleaners should be keeping streets and sidewalks clean through regular sweeping and washing.

The environmental authorities also urged the State Inspectorate on Construction and Urbanism to carry out emergency construction site inspections, given that dust and emissions from construction equipment contribute to air pollution.

According to the release, the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Economy and Labor should conduct their own inspections to control traffic-related air pollution, including nitrogen oxide emissions.

"Citizens using firewood to heat their homes should do it the right way and not use plastic, rubber, presswood, and waste materials in the interest of their own health and the health of others," the release said.

Speaking of its own responsibilities, the Ministry of Environment said it regularly inspected A-integrated environmental permit holders, in cooperation with the State Environmental Inspectorate. Their inspectors had recently carried out two unannounced inspections of the Usje cement plant and found no violations.

Environmental authorities also said they were "continuously monitoring the air quality" and "regularly informing the public about the situation and recommended protection measures." mr/