The first National Reference Lab for Air in Serbia, in November

The first National Reference Lab for Air in Serbia, equipped with most modern equipment for measuring and analysis of air pollution, will begin with work in November, as it was announced yesterday (August, 16th, 2009) by the General Manager of the Agency for protection of the living environment, Mr. Momcilo Zivkovic.

This lab, with head office in Belgrade, will collect data from measuring stations distributed across Serbia, and it will compare the results with reference European labs. Coordinator of its work will the Agency for protection of the living environment, while Republic Hydro-meteorological Institute will also be included in Lab’s work, stated Mr. Zivkovic.

Immediately upon construction, the Lab will be equipped and employees will start with their training. A total of 28 measuring stations will be installed, and each one will be sending to the base, the data about air quality, that is about the condition of chemically active and passive substances, in every hour.

According to Mr. Zivkovic, this is going to be most modern network of stations, which will monitor in exact time, the concentration of benzene, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, smoke, ashes, and other air polluters. Measuring stations will be distributed in the cities with highest risk of pollution, and even four will be installed in Pancevo and three in Bor, while the capital will get at least five of them.

Mr. Zivkovic pointed out that Serbia so far had only 9 measuring stations, and installation of the new, modern ones should be finalized in the Fall. According to his words, 3 million euros has been invested in this project, financed from the budget and from EU funds.