Since the identification of fire hazards in landfills has not been sufficiently investigated and studied, the goal of this research is to present a methodological approach to the issue. This paper defines fire occurrence indicators, which are considered as one of the risk factors of underground and/or surface fires in non-sanitary landfills. In this study, fire hazards are identified in terms of present landfill gas concentrations and gas well temperatures monitored by a thermal imaging camera at the nonsanitary landfill “Bubanj” in Niš, Serbia, which has been in service for 49 years. Landfill gas concentrations at the landfill were measured from May to October 2015. The paper also presents ambient air temperatures, which influence landfill gas and gas well temperatures, a necessary factor of landfill fires. Significant fire predictors for the landfill body have been determined based on all the temperatures and concentrations of landfill gas components measured using the statistical method of logistic regression.

Background/Aim. Analysis of air quality in Serbia indicates that the city of Niš belongs to a group of cities characterized by the third category of air quality (excessive air pollution). The aim of the study was to analyze the degree of causality between ambient air quality affected by particulate matter of 10 μm (PM10) and carbon monoxide (CO) and the incidence of respiratory diseases in preschool children in the city of Niš. Methods. We quantified the influence of higher PM10 concentrations and carbon monoxide comprising motor vehicle exhausts in the city of Niš on the occurrence of unwanted health effects in preschool children by means of the hazard quotient (HQ), individual health risk (Ri), and the probability of cancer (ICR). The methodology used was according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it included basic scientific statistical methods, compilation methods, and the relevant mathematical methods for assessing air pollution health risk, based on the use of attribute equations. Results. Measurement of ambient air pollutant concentrations in the analyzed territory for the entire monitoring duration revealed that PM10 concentrations were significantly above the allowed limits during 80% of the days. The maximum measured PM10 concentration was 191.6 μg/m3, and carbon monoxide 5.415 mg/m3. The incidence of respiratory diseases in the experimental group, with a prominent impact of polluted air was 57.17%, whereas the incidence in the control group was considerably lower, 41.10 %. There were also significant differences in the distribution of certain respiratory diseases. Conclusion. In order to perform good causal analysis of air quality and health risk, it is very important to establish and develop a system for long-term monitoring, control, assessment, and prediction of air pollution. We identified the suspended PM10 and CO as ambient air pollutants causing negative health effects in the exposed preschool children population.

This paper reviews the state of the “Bubanj” landfill near the City of Niš, Serbia, which has been used for 47 years and which is categorized as a non-sanitary landfill. We utilised the LandGEM 3.02 model, used for estimating landfill gas emission rates, to calculate the amount of landfill gases. Additionally, we measured the amount and composition of landfill gas in section S4 of the landfill from July 2014 to June 2015. We utilised the ALOHA software to estimate the fire-vulnerable zone. The results of our analysis show that the measured average methane emission is higher than the calculated emission. The difference between the measured average emission and calculated emission of methane is logical, as the measurements were performed in an active section, where methane emission higher than in inactive sections is to be expected. Based on the measured methane emissions during one year, we conclude that the methane emission drops as the ambient temperature drops. This paper showcases the state of the “Bubanj” landfill, which is highly unsatisfactory in terms of environmental and fire protection because of landfill gas generation.

Large quantities of solid municipal waste containing a variety of flammable substances, that are disposed of in sanitary and non-sanitary landfills and even illegal dump sites, usually entail a high risk of fire. The level of risk is increased by the presence of methane which is released by municipal waste decomposition. The number of landfill fires varies depending on the morphological composition of the waste, ignition sources, meteorological conditions, time of year, as well as fire protection measures. The paper describes the impact of flammable waste on landfill fires, as well as causes, frequency and procedures in preventing and extinguishing landfill fires.

The onset of landfill fires is only possible in the presence of oxygen and an ignition source, as well as flammable material, which is commonly found in the deposited waste and landfill gas. This paper focuses on predicting emissions of methane, one of the dominant flammable components at the regional sanitary landfill in Pirot, Serbia. Based on these predictions, a prediction of hazardous and safe zones during the outbreak of landfill fires and explosions has been made, which is important with regard to occupational safety and health.

Waste disposal sites significantly contribute to the degradation of primary environmental elements. In the Republic of Serbia, these waste disposal sites have been generated due to improper management of materials that are recyclable to varying degrees. Municipal waste disposal has led to issues such as contamination of surface and groundwater flows and a decline in the quality of agricultural crops. Current environmental management systems lack high levels of efficiency; preventive protection measures are not fully implemented, and corrective actions are frequently hindered by a lack of financial resources. Problem resolution is often limited to the application of “carpet-like” grass covers over degraded landscapes. The aim of this paper is to propose a model for overcoming these ecological issues. The proposal is based on a phased implementation, transitioning from simpler to more complex methods. Challenges associated with the direct application of modern reclamation methods include a shortage of professional personnel, financial constraints, and a lack of institutional readiness among the management of mining and energy complexes. The proposed environmental management system model for municipal solid waste landfills is based on Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and Critical Path Method (CPM) guidelines. By offering clear, efficient, innovative, and progressive strategic perspectives, this model establishes a robust foundation for multi-criteria decision-making and a multidisciplinary approach.