Boston based Undark magazine published a dramatic report on the air pollution in Macedonia, describing how the use of rubber tires, plastics and waste wood for heating is emitting PM2.5 particles in the air.

One of the most shocking images in the report comes from the village of Kosturino near Strumica, where a worker in a quicklime kiln is filmed using tires to stoke the fire.

– Plumes of thick, black smoke rise up from these operations for days at a time, followed by a brief respite to collect more tires, and more limestone, and begin the process anew, is the scene described at the site.

The capital city Skopje is listed as the main danger zone in the country, given the use of wood and tires for heating, and lack of natural gas.