Ivana Stankovic

Master of Science Thesis 2005/06
KTH, Stockholm
5.2 Environmental conditions
Since 1974, in Belgrade, the quality of environment is monitored on a continuous basis. The
control is being done for the quality of air, drinking water, surface waters, as well as for the
levels of radioactivity, pollution of soil, and the level of communal noise.
The latest published data on Environmental Quality of Belgrade for 2004 gives analysis of
environmental quality during the last 4 years in Belgrade. The presented data is taken from
that publication. 62
5.2.1 Air quality
In Belgrade measurements are being done for substances as a result of industry, vehicle
exhaust, and radioactivity.
The polluting substances from industry are measured for the level of SO 2 , Soot, NO 2 , Air
sediments, Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), Specific polluting substances from industry, and Suspended
particles. Nowadays there are only 16 measuring points in the Belgrade area. The
measurements are performed regularly and in continuity so that the results can be analyzed
and compared. The results show that the central area of Belgrade is characterized with high
concentrations of soot and NO 2 . There have been recordings of series of days (3 connected
days) with concentrations of those elements above allowed limits. Between the years 2000 and
2004 the results show that there has been an overall increase of SO 2 , which when displayed as
an average figure is lower than the allowed limits. In 2002 the amount of air particles is less
than in 2003 but is still higher than the allowed limits for 68.25%. The amount of both
Benzo(a)pyrene and suspended particles are higher than the allowed limits at all measured
places.
It is interesting to note the high values of certain substances in the central areas of Belgrade,
since they come from the industry, which is mostly located in the suburbs.
From vehicle exhausts, measurements are being done for CO and CO 2 , Lead (Pb), NO 2 ,
Formaldehyde (HCHO), total amount for Carbon-Hydrogen’s (HC), and SO 2 . For CO, Pb and NO 2
at almost all measuring points the yearly average values were above the allowed limits.
Maximal values were measured during the winter period. Within the immediate proximity of the
site selected for this thesis research there are 2 measuring points. One is at the exit of the
tunnel in Nusiceva street (corner of Block 8) and the other is at the Assembly building of Serbia
and Montenegro next to the Blocks 5 and 6. The results show that the maximum values for CO,
Pb, NO 2, HCCO, and total amount for HC are measured at the exit from the tunnel in Nusiceva
Street. They exceed the allowed limits as 1.8 times for CO, 5.2 times for Pb, and 1.85 times for
NO 2 . Therefore the most endangered city area is the central area, within which is the thesis
site.
The measurements for radioactivity in the air were done for gamma radiation, 137 Cs (Cesium) in
the air, and 137 Cs in the rainfall. The measured values for gamma radiation respond to annual
values for natural radiation. As for levels of 137 Cs in the air and rainfall they were not
detectable.
5.2.2 Water
In Belgrade, water quality is measured for surface waters, radioactivity in the river waters,
quality of water at the two bathing sites at the banks of the rivers Sava and Danube, quality of
drinking water from the main water supply system, and quality of drinking water from public
62 The Environmental quality of the City of Belgrade in 2004 (2005), published by the Secretariat of the
Environmental Protection and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
Ivana Stankovic
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