We have historically heard and read about Elbasan and the inevitable connection of this central Albania city with the metallurgical factory, as well as the constant complaints of its citizens regarding the problems caused by heavy industry, labeling it as one of the most polluted cities in the country. Complaints have often fallen on deaf ears. Balldre and Barashesh villages of Elbasan, still remain problematic, since they are located near factories with high activity of discharging harmful gases into the air.
"I live in Balldren village, near the factory, and we feel the smell of oil from there, especially during times of wind blows the smell of oil enters the entire house," says Dritan Sino, a resident of the Balldren in Elbasan. – shprehet Dritan Sino, banor i fshatit Balldren në Elbasan.
"I lived for 16 years in Bradashesh, near the metallurgical factory. I am currently suffering from diabetes. Our house was on the side of the road and the smoke from the factory was everywhere in the air. We used to mostly stay inside because of the stench. Fortunately, now I live in another village, and I feel the difference because here the air is cleaner" - says a former resident of Bradashesh, Elbasan
"I have worked for years in Mollas village in Elbasan, and most of the residents who came in the health center for a medical consulting resulted to suffer from pulmonary issues, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, etc. and this was a major concern," states Sami Sula, a retired family doctor.
Taking into the account that Elbasan is the third largest city in Albania and with the largest population after Tirana and Durres, unfortunately the dense movement of local residents' vehicles and other residents who use Elbasan as pass-through Elbasan bridge to go to Durres or Tirana is inevitable, and that influences as a major polluting factor. According to the DPSHTRR in Elbasan, the number of registered vehicles has increased from 2021 to 2022 with a total of 8,631 vehicles, influencing on a higher traffic chaos on the exit and entrance axes of the city of Elbasan, but also on its main internal streets. On the other hand, the bad quality of the fuels has also a negative impact. Imagine how the pollution from these factors affects the residents who use the main streets of Elbasan to carry out their daily activities.
"I live in a well-known area of Elbasan, and from my house you can see from above the entire white plume of smoke that covers the city. It seems clear that it comes from the metallurgical area and is headed to the city. Another cause is the traffic congestion on the main roads, especially in the summer season. We often feel cramps, headaches, or other symptoms that we don't understand, but thinking about it, I believe that polluted air also affects us a lot. Sometimes I feel like we've become immune to pollution, and we don't even realize it." - states K.M, a resident of Elbasan.
The presence of PM2.5 fine particles in the air in the Elbasan Municipality, recorded in the afternoon, was 16.7 times higher than the allowed rate. This was the highest value generated by data extracted in real time from continuous monitoring through the installed IQAir device. Air quality monitoring is enabled within the project "Clean air, healthy life" implemented by partner organizations, Milieukontakt Albania, Together for Life Association, GO2 in Shkodra and EPER Center in Korca. The project is conducted within "Green-AL", a project financed by the Swedish International Agency for Cooperation and Development with the funds of the Swedish Government, implemented by Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development in cooperation with VIS Albania, COSV - Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo and CISP - Sviluppo dei Popoli.
The data generated regarding the high presence of PM 2.5 particles in the air are concerning, considering the negative consequences caused by the high level of exposure of vulnerable target groups such as the chronically ill, since these particles directly attack the respiratory system. As mentioned above, these values were recorded in the afternoon when most of the residents leave work or go for a walk. Approximate values have been recorded other times, so we imagine the negative impact on them. This, combined with the high level of NO2 presence, as described in detail below.
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 particles has been proven to be one of the main causes of chronic respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, the responsible state institutions do not have concrete recent data on the consequences of air pollution on people's health and the environment. However, according to the data of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (FSDKSH) of 2021, the prevalence of bronchial asthma among chronically ill patients has resulted in the highest level in Elbasan. Considering this, we also take into account the damage that the polluted air has brought to the health system in general, but also to the economy of the citizens.
"My opinion is that clean air is life, and we abuse it by using only cars. Our society has become lazy, they no longer walk or use bicycles. Living a modern life takes its toll on health. I have noticed the negative consequences in my children, firstly as they get sick often and secondly the family economy is affected, as the medicines are too expensive. I work at the assessment commission for people with disability in Elbasan and the number of new cases of chronically ill people, both children and adults, has increased. - says Rudina Dopi, a resident of Elbasan.
On the other hand, results on air pollution were also achieved during the summer period in August 2022, from alternative measurements conducted using the Aeroqual device, carried out by Together for Life Association. Overall, 150 stations were monitored in Elbasan Municipality, including the main streets and neighborhoods of the city. Fortunately, regarding the presence of resorbable particles PM10 and PM2.5 the data show results within the norms. Sometimes the dust particles are dispersed by the wind, and since Elbasan is characterized by strong winds, we can consider it as a contributing factor. On the other hand, taking into account the concerning problems related to pollution in Elbasan in general, there are also positive reactions from the interventions of the Municipality regarding the improvement of pro-environmental protection policies, such as waste disposal.
"Something good happened in my city in 2015. The burning of waste in the previous years was done in a field that caused a very bad smell and smoke, very polluted air. Now Elbasan has a modern waste landfill and air pollution has improved compared to previous years" - says Rudina Dopi, a resident of Elbasan.
Meanwhile, concerning levels of NO2 (reaching up to 67 μg/m3 from the standard 40 μg/m3) and especially CO2 have been noticed, which has reached the maximum values from the standard rate in all monitored stations (reaching up to 461 ppm/m3 from the standard - 350 ppm/m3). CO2 is released from the burning of fossil materials and its excessive presence in the air can be linked exactly to the traffic congestion in areas where activity is higher and there is emission of gases from industry. Specifically, maximum values were observed in the southern area of Elbasan. Along this space is the southern ring of the city. The dense movement of vehicles, especially heavy vehicles moving down this streets, has a negative effect. Also, the main intersections of the city, specifically the intersection at the western and southern exits of the city, also show high pollution values.
Highlighting the impact on health, air with a high concentration of NO2 can irritate the airways and exposure for short periods can worsen respiratory diseases, especially asthma, leading to symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing. Longer exposure to high concentrations of NO2 may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Unfortunately, long-term exposure increases the risk of cardiac arrest and stroke. It also affects chronic problems of hypertension, bronchitis and tumors. As stated above, the prevalence of bronchial asthma among the chronically ill has resulted in the highest level in Elbasan, and after the facts mentioned above, this fact is relevant.[3].
The monitoring also results in areas with lower pollution that are located in the suburbs; this is also because these areas have a greater presence of greenery, which helps to improve air quality. According to the sources published on the official website of the Elbasan Municipality, the Public Services Agency has continued the work focused on the reconstruction of the road infrastructure and planting trees in different areas of the city, in cooperation with projects focusing on environmental protection.
On the other hand, another initiative that would be very useful in this context would be the facilitation of heavy traffic on the main roads and axes of the city. It seems that this part will also be among the priorities of the central and local government for 2023. From the media communications of the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, one of the projects that will provide a solution to the continuous disturbing traffic and the improvement of the infrastructure will be the construction of the bypass of Elbasan. Also, according to a communication from the Mayor of Elbasan: "The Elbasan Bypass is an ambitious infrastructural project that will remove all heavy vehicles from the city and will give the national axis Tirana - Durres - Elbasan a new concept of integrated urban and rural development".
Of course, it would be necessary to undertake the following measures related to the conduction of continuous measurements in different areas of the territory of Elbasan, to enable a wider assessment of the state of air pollution and the implementation of measures in real time. Even the National Environment Agency itself, according to communications, suggests that investments should be increased and, specifically, the monitoring network should be increased with new stations to have a clearer panorama of pollution in future measurements. The last data published on the official website are those of 2021, but they are not complete data either and Elbasan is not among the monitored cities at all. According to National Environment Agency: "There is no lack of initiative, but due to a lack of funds, the measurements are not complete, and they cannot publish data that are not completely clear and accurate. The air stations need annual maintenance, which due to the procedures and limited budget, there have been cases that have not been fully carried out."
Strong recommendations related to this part have long been emphasized by the High Control of the State. In their report, the representatives of HCS emphasized, among other things, the lack of accreditation of the air quality monitoring process in our country, the small number of monitoring stations as well as the low reliability of the Reports on the environment's situation (especially for air quality) in Albania. Likewise, the control and reduction of emissions of polluting substances from industrial plants cannot be achieved, as long as the monitoring control of industrial emissions is not carried out by the State Environmental Inspectorate.[5]
To make a summary, for Elbasan, it is necessary to take measures to regulate traffic and find other transport alternatives during peak hours, as well as control the quality of vehicle fuel, based on the standards and law. On the other hand, strict control measures should be implemented regarding industrial emissions into the air. Responsibilities for the implementation of environmental legislation should be more clearly defined and enforcement itself should be strengthened quickly, especially for uncontrolled and abusive activities towards the environment.
One of the major challenges reflected in Elbasan Municipality, as well as in other municipalities, is related to the adaptation and implementation of the action plan for air quality at the local level. The lack of this plan at the central level means that this adaptation is also missing in the Municipality of Elbasan. Also, the National Air Quality strategy, despite its approval in 2014, has not been implemented and is not accompanied by the Action Plan. Not to mention the fact that the Regional Health Directorates report to the PIH statistics on the morbidity and mortality of the population, but there is no study data on the cause-and-effect relationship between air pollution and the impact on the health of the population. [6]
All the concerning issues above are bells that must be heard and quickly taken concrete action for. One of the positive things about Elbasan in the National Environmental Protection Program 2023 published on the official website of NEA in the first chapter on Air Quality Monitoring, is that the improvement of air quality in the cities classified as polluted, including Elbasan, has been set as a priority for 2023.
References:
[1] DPSHTRR Open Data – Mjete aktive në Regjistrin Kombëtar Shqiptar: 30/06/2022 › Dashboard Mjeti (google.com)
[2]Numri i njerëzve të sëmurë, burimi FSDKSH
[3]Numri i njerëzve të sëmurë, burimi FSDKSH
[4] Raporti Për Gjëndjen e Mjedisit 2021 – Agjencia Kombetare e Mjedisit (akm.gov.al)
