Existence of organisms is dependent upon the environment. Humans have the power of influence on the environment in which they live. Each of us has ability to choose how we influence the environment. It will be negatively or positively.

Although not all the results are satisfactory, based on the information presented by the State of Environment Report, Slovak Republic – 1999 the positive development of improvement environment quality can be claimed.

A decrease of 3.7% (SO₂) and 6.85% (NO_x) were registered this year in comparison with last year.  In 1989 the recorded levels were 69.7% for SO₄ and 46.7% for NO_x. On the other side, compared to the previous year values for solid particular matter and CO slightly increased, solid particular matter 6.3% and CO 1.1%.  Although in comparison with 1989 these numbers show a significant decrease – about 80.9% for solid particular matter, and 35.5% for CO. As for the troposphere ozone, the average concentration of ozone is increasing approximately 1 m g.m^-3 per year. That is due to the values of ground level ozone concentrations doubling since the beginning of century. Of the longer point of view, ambient air quality has been improved. In all Slovakia, the emission limits for SO₂ and particulate matter were not exceeded in any location.

In the case of water quality, there is a high share of extremely heavily polluted water sampling sites. Water quality is effected especially by coliform bacteria, thermotollerant coliform bacteria, ammonium, nitrates, phosphorus and in the eastern Slovakia by heavy metals. The trend of connection on sewerage systems is increasing but there is still a problem because the total amount of people connected to these systems remains low.  Just 54,7% of the population are connected to sewage systems     (in comparison with the Czech Republic, which has 74,6% and other countries EU 70-90%). The wastewater treatment plants are also unsatisfactory.  Even though the amount of wastewater discharged into waterways is slightly decreasing and the number of wastewater treatment plants is also showing a small increase. Drinking water quality is one of the most important components of the environment. The condition of the quality of drinking water is without significant changes. Percentage of drinking water samples not complying with the STN 75 71111 Standard Drinking Water did not exceed the level of 5 %.

While we are making improvements now they are not reflected in the current numbers. It takes a longer amount of time for their realisation. The same applies to the health of the forests that are have not shown any changes since the reduction of air pollution. The result of forest monitoring in the Slovak Republic demonstrates that the Slovak Republic is in the second to fourth grade of damage (28% coniferous and deciduous trees). While 19% of healthy trees not exhibiting defoliation. The Slovak Republics forests also cover of 40,80% (1 998 283 ha) which ranks it amongst one of the highest in proportion of forests versus total land area of the country.

Environmental, lawful and economical measures evaluating raw materials is the cause of decreased waste production from 25,7 mil.tonnes in1995 to 19,6 mil.tonnes in1999. The most waste is produced from agriculture (4,5 mil.tonnes) and industry (2,3 mil tonnes). The most hazardous waste producers are the industrial section from chemical and mechanical manufacture. Production of municipal waste is stable. Every year the average of waste production is 315 kg per person in our country. The most common disposal methods of the mentioned waste is landfill disposal (24,1%) and incineration (31%). Currently 139 landfills are operating with in complied standards.

The health of the environment and people are very strongly connected. The health and age of our people still depends a healthy environment. The average life expectancy at birth reached 68 for men and 77 for women. Statistically, the highest long-term death-rate is caused by circulatory system diseases. The second most frequent cause of death are tumours and after that respiratory diseases.

Elimination of air and water pollution, insurance of biological and landscape diversity protection, solving of waste management problems and environmental risk, caused by chemical, physical and biological factors, are the priorities.


For the future health, life, and  development are very important to continue  improving the  environment.

Ing. Vladimir Benko, SAŽP

More information you can find on www.iszp.sk