While the south-eastern suburbs of Skopje were panicked following the spill of a toxic chemical from the OHIS factory, in Gazi Baba, to the north, air pollution broke new records.

The stations that measure PM10 particle pollution – largely caused by burning of wood, coal and waste for heating – showed a concentration of 998 micrograms per cubic meter in Gazi Baba. PM10 levels are considered safe if they are below 20 or 40 micrograms. Worst of all, the winter heating season has barely begun and the capital stand before months of dangerous air pollution.