Landfill fires major source of pollution, environmentalists warn

Environmental Protection Engineers Association chief Igor Jezdimirovic warned that a large part of the waste generated daily across the country ends up in illegal garbage dumps with the frequent fires contaminating the air, soil and water. Reports said that an average of 6 fires a day are registered in landfills.

The Association conducted a study with support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce showing the high level of pollution from those fires. Jezdimirovic said researchers analyzed landfill fires over the past decade to identify hotspots and assess health risks in affected communities. The study covered 10 municipalities and cities.