Country profile - Societal developments (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

Air quality management

Air quality management is a key tool for improving its quality. Ambient air quality has deteriorated since the early 1950s due to increased levels of pollutant emissions resulting from industrial development and increased volumes of traffic.

Pollution from industry and energy production, the burning of fossil fuels and transport activities all pose a threat to air quality, in particular in towns, cities and areas with intensive industry. Poor air quality can lead to serious health problems, especially for the youngest generation[2].

In the period from 2002 till 2008 for which emission data are available, the trend for al pollutants it is variable and i probably based on the discontinuous operation of the industrial and energy processes. Namely our country is still in the transition period and there is on-going process of complete or partly closure of the installation or change of the production which have major effect on the trend[1].

Air quality problems are particularly pronounced in and around major cities[2], thus potentially affecting 60 % of the total population[3].