Skopje, 23 November 2023 (MIA) - The automatic monitoring system in North Macedonia measures non-volatile inorganic compounds and not volatile organic compounds, said Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova on Thursday, explaining why after the fire that broke out at a warehouse in the Falishe village near Tetovo, air pollution was not measured.

She said they are waiting on results from the Public Health Institute on the water and soil pollution in that area, adding that the country does not have an accredited method for measuring volatile organic pollutants in the air.

All laboratories, including private ones, were consulted during yesterday's fire.

"The Crisis Management Center, Public Health Institute and the State Environment Inspectorate were the only ones that came out, even though this case is out of our jurisdiction, including the Inspectorate's. It is within the purview of the environment, but of course for citizens' sake they came to inspect and see if they could be of any help," Shukova said.

She noted that after the fire broke out at a paints and varnishes warehouse in Falishe village near Tetovo, there will be air pollution, unfortunately its extent cannot be measured, because it is an organic substance.

Authorities instructed local residents to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, because the effects of pollution will spread a few hundred meters outside the warehouse.

"Citizens are advised to be careful in the following days, and competent institutions will inform them of what to do," Shukova stressed.

When asked why North Macedonia does not have an accredited method for measuring volatile organic compounds, she said that the directives stipulate measurements of 2.5 and 10.5 PM particles, CO and CO2.

Minister Shukova, after seeing a video of the fire, pointed out the air, water and soil will be polluted because those particles will settle on the soil surface.

"Citizens should be careful, and the agricultural crops in that area should not be used," Shukova said. ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA archive