A significant part of the population in Serbia relies on central heating
systems during the winter months, with around fifty heating plants in
operation across the country. Common fuels used in these plants primarily
include fossil fuels such as fuel oil and natural gas. Combustion of some of
these fuels leads to significant emissions of air pollutants. This study
evaluates the impact on the air quality of the two heating boilers at the
Valjevo city (Serbia) heating plant. Air emissions were measured separately
for two heating boilers in the facility using standard reference
methodology. The AERMOD air dispersion model was used to estimate the
dispersion of various pollutants. A combination of topographical and
meteorological data was used to set up a receptor grid exposed to air
pollution within a 10 km radius around the heating plant. It was found that
the resulting distribution and concentration gradient of pollutant gases and
particles were less inclined towards the city centre and instead spread
eastwards into the surrounding villages. The health risk from the fuel oil
boiler was shown to be significantly higher than that caused by the natural
gas-fuelled boiler. Nevertheless, the calculated carcinogenic and
non-carcinogenic health risks were within acceptable limits. However,
further research is required to adequately assess the cumulative health risk
generated by other surrounding emitters.