Real-time Air Quality in the Balkan Peninsula

Posted on April 28th 2015
(re-edited on January 18th 2024)
Share: aqicn.org/faq/2015-04-28/real-time-air-quality-in-the-balkan-peninsula/

The Balkan Peninsula, popularly referred to as the Balkans, is a geographical region of Southeast Europe. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch from the east of Serbia to the Black Sea at the east of Bulgaria.

Balkans with real-time Air Quality forecast overlay (more info)

Many of the countries in the Balkans are providing real-time Air Quality readings. The data for Turkey (Thrace), Romania and Croatia have already been available on the World Air Quality Index project for a long time. Today, we are able to roll-out the data for 3 new countries: Serbia, Bulgaria and Macedonia.



Countries with known data (and PM2.5)
Bulgaria
-
Croatia
-
Macedonia, FYR
-
Romania
-
Serbia
Countries with known data (but only PM10)
Greece
Countries with known data (but not yet available)
Countries without known data
Albania
-
Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
Kosovo
-
Montenegro

Greece also has its own air quality monitoring network, but unfortunately the data is only made available on a daily basis (from ypeka.gr), which prevents us from showing it on the map like other stations (since all stations on our map are providing real-time hourly readings).

As concerns the remaining countries, namely Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo, data is unfortunately not yet available. Here is the findings from our investigations.

  • Montenegro: The Center for ecotoxicological research (CETI) is responsible for Air Quality monitoring in Montenegro. The Norwegian governement has helped for the equipment purchase with a grant of 85K € in 2014 (see article), but, yet, no data is available from the CETI.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Federal Hydrometeorological Institute is providing Air Quality information, but unfortunately only on a daily basis (i.e. not in real-time).
  • Kosovo: There is a proof of an existing netork, but no data is available from the Institute of Hydrometeorology of Kosovo (IHMK). The Innovations Lab Kosovo is having an interesting Air Quality monitoring project too, but not data is available either. If interested, check their Kickstarter campaign.
  • Albania: There is no clear information about real-time data from either the SELEA project or Ministry of Environment.

Note: Since 2018, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo provide AQI data. Greece is also providing hourly data.

Fortunately, this will change, and the data will at some point be available for all the countries. If you have any information or update, feel free to share it by commenting in the discussion board below.

Click here to see all the FAQ entries
  • AQI Scale: What do the colors and numbers mean?
  • Using Statistical Distances for Real-time Sensor Networks Validation
  • Nitrogen Dioxyde (NO2) in our atmosphere
  • About the Air Quality and Pollution Measurement:

    About the Air Quality Levels

    AQIAir Pollution LevelHealth ImplicationsCautionary Statement (for PM2.5)
    0 - 50GoodAir quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no riskNone
    51 -100ModerateAir quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
    101-150Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsMembers of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
    151-200UnhealthyEveryone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effectsActive children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
    201-300Very UnhealthyHealth warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
    300+HazardousHealth alert: everyone may experience more serious health effectsEveryone should avoid all outdoor exertion

    To know more about Air Quality and Pollution, check the wikipedia Air Quality topic or the airnow guide to Air Quality and Your Health.

    For very useful health advices of Beijing Doctor Richard Saint Cyr MD, check www.myhealthbeijing.com blog.


    Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.



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