Inspectors to monitor Slovak air quality

Fourteen inspectors will monitor the quality of the air in the various regions of Slovakia, aiming to improve its quality and find ways to reduce air pollution, LIFE integrated project manager Gabriel Adamek stated on Monday, on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. The Bratislava and Nitra regions have yet to join the project. "Everything will depend on the regions, whether they will be willing to introduce restrictions in order to improve air quality, restrictions that may or may not be popular," said Adamek, adding that replacing solid-fuel boilers with natural-gas boilers should also be promoted, during the first stage of the project.

The Environment Ministry wants to introduce amendments to the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution Fees Act and submit them this autumn. They will require an increase in fines for large polluters, a changeover to less-polluting technologies and the transformation of some polluters, said Environment Minister Ján Budaj, adding he wants to use EU funds for this purpose.