The subject of this study was a mid-term evaluation of cardiovascular, respiratory and total non-accidental mortalities attributed to exposure to PM10, O3, NO2 and SO2 in the cities of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis, representing about 25% of the population of Serbia. The analysis was performed using AirQ+ modelling, by linking annual baseline mortality rates and daily pollutant exposure levels in 2011–2015 based on the cause-specific concentration–response functions. Estimated shares of annual mortality attributed to these pollutants, thanks to harmonizing of assessment methodologies, may stand next to and be compared with results obtained in previously conducted studies. The obtained premature deaths estimated within 95% confidence interval (in parentheses) and attributed to PM10, O3, NO2 and SO2 exposure were 2013 (1344–2677), 1411 (685–2086), 831 (555–1107) and 443 (333–530), respectively. Total non-accidental mortalities due to O3 and NO2 exposure were in the range of findings for other regions, while mortalities attributed to PM10 were higher. It was also found that cardiovascular mortality caused by these four pollutants was higher than respiratory mortality. Based on our results, efficient implementation of abatement strategies that would reduce PM10, O3 and SO2 concentrations to daily air quality limit values set by the World Health Organization could respectively prevent, in the three cities together, about 233 (156–310), 40 (19–59) and 71 (53–85) premature deaths per year.

In order to assess the level of mass concentrations of ambient suspended particles PM10 and PM2.5, a pilot study was performed in the urban area of Belgrade, in winter and summer period from June 2002 to June 2003. The PM10 mass concentrations in Belgrade urban area were high (average value being 72 µg m-3) in comparison to other European cities and more than 68% of daily samples exceeded the limit value of 50 µg m-3. Average PM2.5 mass concentration was 61 µg m-3. Analysis of the PM10 mass concentrations indicated seasonal variation. Frequency distribution of PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations and wind speed was best represented by log-normal distribution. Physical and chemical characterization of suspended particulate matter was accomplished by electron microscopy methods.

The sampling of aerosols particles deposited on polycarbonate surfaces (Petri dishes and foils) was carried out on three locations in Belgrade:. the Meteorological Station in New Belgrade, situated in a recreation zone in flat terrain at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, backyard of the Institute of Physics (situated in north-west part of the city) and Meteorological Station on Green Hill (east part of Delgrade). Using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX and automatic image analyzing system, physical characteristics of the deposited particles such as size, particle distribution size and morphology were investigated. The combined techniques of observation and microanalysis together with an automated program of image analysis and further data analysis, constitutes an appropriate methodology for the characterization of airborne particle. In this paper, the characterization of the aerosols in the Belgrade atmosphere will be demonstrated.

Environmental problems in the atmosphere take important place within the integral environmental protection. Relevant research cover such topics as properties of gases, aerosols, uniform particle motion, Brownian motion and diffusion, all needed for understanding of the transport and deposition of transboundary air pollutants; many of the techniques of the environment are based on spectroscopy; another part of the abilities of scientists lies in making simple models of complicated phenomena using mathematical techniques; part of the activity lies in instrumentation, the development of measuring techniques and the application of existing techniques. Research groups in our country started to work in this field within different fundamental and applied projects with the aim to develop and apply physical methods and models for studies of environmental problems related to gas pollutants, greenhouse gases, aerosols, radionuclides, industrial control of gas and airborne pollutants. Accurate quantitative analysis of the composition of the atmosphere were based on spectroscopic techniques such as remote optical methods, fluorescence and the identification of specific elements using the absorption or scattering of X rays as well as electron microscopy. Numerical models for evaluation of long-range air transport have been developed and applied to predict accidental and permanent transboundary transfer of pollutants.

Dry deposition measurements of trace metals were carried on in a sub-urban area of Belgrade during July and August 1999. In the field experiments, deposition fluxes were determined using a Frisbee type aerodynamically designed sampler. Greased and ungreased Teflon plates mounted on the sampler facing upward and downward, have been used. Particle resuspension rate was determined by simultaneous sampling on different surfaces at various exposure times. Deposition flux to the greased plates was about four times the flux to the ungreased plates.