Urgent Meeting Held to Address Air Quality Concerns in Pljevlja

Authorities in Montenegro convened an urgent meeting to address escalating air quality concerns in Pljevlja. The meeting, led by the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, Damjan Ćulafić, included representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mining, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation. This collaborative effort aims to evaluate the current situation following reports of elevated sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels detected in the area.

Inspection and Immediate Actions Taken

During the meeting, Minister Ćulafić disclosed that the ecological inspection team had promptly responded to the reports. On December 14, 2025, following the detection of increased SO2 concentrations at a monitoring station in Pljevlja, inspectors assessed the operations of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant. It was discovered that the automatic measurement station on the plant’s chimney was not functioning, prompting the plant to be given a three-day deadline to explain the failure.

“The thermal power plant has been instructed to take immediate action to restore the automatic emission measurement system. This is crucial for ongoing monitoring of the plant’s impact on air quality,” Minister Ćulafić explained. Furthermore, he noted that emissions of pollutants from the chimney would be measured by the Centre for Ecotoxicological Testing (CETI), which has already initiated these assessments.

Commitment to Public Health and Safety

The Minister of Energy and Mining, Admir Šahmanović, reiterated the priority of public health during the discussions. He stated, “There is no alternative to the health of citizens. We must take all necessary measures based on the recommendations of the relevant institutions.” He emphasized that misinterpretation and politicization of the information would hinder progress and that all actions should be coordinated.

A representative from the Ministry of Health provided an update on enhanced monitoring of health indicators at the General Hospital in Pljevlja and local health centers, particularly concerning respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Data collection and analysis regarding the number of outpatient visits and hospitalizations is underway, with continuous communication maintained with the Public Health Institute to assess the potential health impacts of air pollution.

Citizens are advised to follow the guidelines issued by the Public Health Institute. The Ministry of Health is prepared to propose additional protective measures should assessments indicate an increased health risk.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that all institutions would await the official findings from CETI before taking further action. Every participant expressed a strong commitment to interdepartmental cooperation, aiming to achieve the most effective solutions for protecting public health and the environment.

Additionally, officials urged against the dissemination of false information that has been circulating in the media, stressing the need to avoid unnecessary public confusion.