Air Pollution and Occupational Diseases: Is There a Solution?

Air pollution and occupational diseases represent a dual challenge. Health-related and economic. This issue affects not only workers but also employers, insurers, and society.

Global and National Frameworks Differ

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) officially recognises 12 respiratory occupational diseases: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, asbestosis, silicosis, various forms of pneumoconiosis, berylliosis, and byssinosis, as well as bronchopulmonary conditions caused by metal and organic dusts.

In addition to these, the category of occupational diseases also includes all conditions with scientifically proven links to polluted air. These extend beyond the lungs, covering cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and even certain nervous system disorders. In other words, air pollution and occupational diseases are closely connected and clearly recognised.

National frameworks, however, often differ. For example, in Serbia, the Rulebook on Determining Occupational Diseases (“Official Gazette RS”, no. 38/2019) expanded the list of recognised conditions. Nevertheless, it still covers only six respiratory diseases – a number significantly lower compared to international standards.

Why is particulate matter most often highlighted?

Because particulate air pollution is almost everywhere. It has been studied the most and has the most substantial medical evidence linking it to multiple diseases.

However, particles are not the only carriers of health risks in the air. Air can also contain microbiological and chemical contaminants. There is no strict boundary between these three groups. Microbes are often treated as particles, yet they can also produce toxins as byproducts of their metabolic processes. At the same time, every particle has its own chemical composition.

Air pollution and occupational diseases can therefore be linked through all types of contaminants. Even more concerning is that PM particles often carry heavy metals, nitrogen oxides, allergens, and microbes attached to them. This combination makes them even more dangerous for human health.

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PM2.5 and ultrafine particles

PM2.5 and ultrafine particles penetrate deep into the lungs. The smallest ones even cross into the bloodstream. Scientific studies confirm that these particles cause inflammation and increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Moreover, exposure to PM2.5 is linked to type 2 diabetes, mental health disorders, eye diseases, cognitive decline, and reduced fertility. In short, PM2.5 affects the entire body, not just the lungs.

Different concentration limits

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends 5 µg/m³ as the safe annual average for PM2.5 in outdoor air.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the limit at 9 µg/m³.
The European Union sets it at 10 µg/m³.

In Serbia, however, the limit is 25 µg/m³ for PM2.5 – five times higher than the WHO recommendation. This huge gap clearly shows that domestic regulations do not provide adequate protection.

SEE ALSO: PM2.5 Particles According to the New Air Protection Law

Outdoor and indoor pollution

Traffic, industry, and household heating remain the primary outdoor sources. Yet indoor air is often up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Since people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, these spaces have become critical hotspots for exposure to and transmission of disease. Importantly, workplaces must never be ignored in this context.

Practice Examples

Delta House, Belgrade

The investor’s decision to implement an additional air purification system proved to be a strategic move. Its value became clear almost immediately. At a Green Building Council event held in Delta House, it was emphasised that thanks to the turnkey solution designed by Marquis Intelligence, only a few sporadic COVID-19 cases were recorded among employees. Transmission of infection was effectively prevented.

Carnex, Vrbas

In the Carnex meat industry, clean air and microbiological safety have always been top priorities. One of the most significant challenges was maintaining a controlled atmosphere in production halls. The slicing lines and the plant for peeled sausages were particularly sensitive.

In the slicing area, product cooling led to micro-condensation, creating a risk of airborne contamination. In the peeling line, compressed air knives posed an additional risk to hygiene. To address this, Marquis Intelligence developed a customised ventilation and air purification system. The contract even included a unique clause: if an independent laboratory detected specified microorganisms, the client would not be required to pay.

The result? All independent tests confirmed the system’s efficiency, and new projects followed in quick succession.

Knjaz Miloš, Aranđelovac

At Knjaz Miloš, Serbia’s leading producer of mineral and bottled water, Marquis Intelligence experts identified critical control points using the HACCP method. The existing solution, which involved sterile boxes on each of the massive water tanks, proved economically unsustainable. Filter replacement required scaffolding and changing five filters per tank.

To solve this, Marquis Intelligence designed and implemented a unique central air sterilisation system with both a working and a backup chamber. The entire installation, complete with a distribution network and regulating valves, was built from stainless steel. Access was secured at ground level, ensuring easier maintenance, greater reliability, and long-term efficiency. The system remains in operation today under the supervision of the Marquis Intelligence service team.

Pfizer, Belgrade

Even with high standards in place, the Pfizer office building in Belgrade faced a problem of bacterial presence among employees. The Marquis Intelligence team first conducted an expert analysis of the purpose and organization of space. Then, they delivered a turnkey solution: an integrated air purification system and a humidity control system with continuous monitoring.

For independent verification, Prof. Dr. Miomir Nikšić, Head of the Industrial Microbiology Department at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, performed sampling of air and surfaces. The results confirmed high efficiency. The problem was fully resolved.

Conclusion

Air pollution and occupational diseases demand a serious and systemic response. Scientific research clearly confirms the strong link between air quality and employee health. At the same time, real-world practice shows that responsible design and advanced technologies can deliver outstanding results – protecting health while sustaining business performance.

Therefore, investing in clean air at the workplace is not only about safeguarding employees. It also ensures long-term sustainability, strengthens social responsibility, and improves overall profitability.

For over three decades, Marquis Intelligence has been developing and implementing state-of-the-art ventilation and air purification solutions for production facilities, office buildings, schools, hospitals, and other commercial and institutional settings. By doing so, Marquis Intelligence provides healthier working conditions, protects employee well-being, and supports business resilience.

This article is part of the “Air Pollution and Health” series, in which Marquis Intelligence, as a socially responsible company, raises awareness about the harmful impact of polluted air on human health.
Document: MC-AP&H-009.25 – Air Pollution and Occupational Diseases: Is There a Solution?