Concentrations of lead in blood, urine and breast milk in Slovenia are relatively low and comparable to data cited in foreign literature. However, due to the proven neurotoxic effects of lead at concentrations lower than 50 µg/L of blood, there is currently no established safe exposure limit. In order to establish and maintain the lowest practically achievable burden of lead exposure for the population, it is reasonable to implement measures in addition to regular monitoring, targeting vulnerable groups such as children and women of reproductive age.

The number of inhabitants who live in the impact area of major roads outside urban areas has decreased. In 2017, around 16,000 fewer inhabitants were exposed to high noise levels throughout the day and during the night compared to 2012. In urban areas, the number of inhabitants who are exposed to road traffic noise has not decreased. The number of inhabitants who are exposed to high noise levels throughout the day has remained at the same level as in 2012 and is estimated at 64,000.

The number of inhabitants who are exposed to traffic noise along major roads outside urban areas is gradually decreasing. In 2017, around 16,000 fewer inhabitants were exposed to high road traffic noise levels throughout the day compared to 2012. There is an important difference between inhabitants who live in the impact area of major motorways and highways, and inhabitants who live in the impact area of major main and regional roads.

The number of inhabitants who live in the impact area of major railways outside urban areas and are exposed to rail traffic noise has not changed significantly in the past years. In 2017, around 7,000 inhabitants were exposed to high noise levels throughout the day and around 10,700 inhabitants during the night. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of inhabitants who are exposed to high rail traffic noise did not decrease.

In the last decade, droughts have been slightly less intense than in the previous decade, and it is worrying that they occur most often during the growing season. Especially in the first trimester, we observe a decrease in the frequency and intensity of hydrological drought. In the period 1961–2020, the year 2003 stands out in terms of drought, which was dry in all quarters of the year. After 2000, the years 2007 and 2011 were more markedly dry.

Frequency of groundwater drought is increasing in recent decades in alluvial aquifers. 8 out of 10 years with highest intensity of groundwater drought in period 1981-2023 occurred after year 2000. Groundwater droughts with higher intensity is characteristic for winter while milder groundwater droughts mostly occur at the beginning of autumn. Groundwater drought intensity is also increasing seasonally with time between June and September when groundwater use is pronounced.

Soil drought has a key impact on plant development and consequently on various industries (forestry, agriculture, …) . Indicators of the number of drought days and the duration of drought periods in individual years show an increase especially after 1990. Similarly, the analysis of the impact of the climate change up to 2100 shows that soil water deficits will increase in the future. The number and the duration of the droughts will increase.

In 2021, drinking water monitoring was carried out in supply zones (water supply systems) that supply 50 or more persons (94,6% of the population). Large, medium and some of small supply zones that supply more than 500 (90,0%) inhabitants, generally have adequate drinking water quality. The smallest supply zones that supply 50-500 inhabitants are the least regulated, in comparison to larger due to the fecal contamination, as some with karst water resources.

Air pollution is the most important environmental risk factor for human health, affecting an average of 400,000 premature deaths in the EU and costing Europeans an average of more than € 166 billion a year. In the case of the cities of Ljubljana and Maribor, external costs amount to almost EUR 271 million annually. Estimation of external costs of air pollution from transport is slightly decreasing.