KAZALCI OKOLJA

Environmental indicators in Slovenia


Environmental indicators are based on graphs, maps and assessments and as such present environmental trends in Slovenia. The indicators represent one of the four pillars of our environmental reporting, and are prepared in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. The Environmental Indicators in Slovenia website enables users to browse among 180 indicators. They are based on numerical data and they indicate the state, characteristics and trends of environmental development in Slovenia. They are prepared using a systematic approach based on data and monitoring, as shown in the information pyramid.

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Neutral

The estimated average long-term intakes of metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) into the human body through food in the adult population of Slovenia do not exceed the reference points (BMDL) or health-based guideline values (tolerable daily/weekly intakes), and in children lead and cadmium on average, similarly to the EU, may be exceeded.

Bad

Foodborne infections remain a significant public health concern in Slovenia and globally. In 2023, the incidence of these infections in Slovenia decreased by 7% compared to 2022, with viral intestinal infections being the most common. Among bacterial pathogens, Campylobacter, Clostridioides difficile, Salmonella, and pathogenic E. coli are predominant. The World Health Organization estimates that at least one in ten people worldwide contracts a foodborne infection each year, representing a substantial burden on public health.

Neutral

In the last twenty years, occurrences of hydrological droughts of surface waters have become more frequent and intense compared to the previous period, and the variability between individual years has also increased. Very dry and very wet years alternate with intermediate periods of hydrologically normal years. The intensity of droughts during the growing season has become more frequent, although, in the last decade, it has been less intense than in the decade before.

Neutral

In 2022, drinking water monitoring was carried out for 93.8% of Slovenia's population across 863 supply zones that serve 50 or more people. Large and medium-sized zones, serving more than 500 inhabitants, generally maintain a good water quality. The greatest issues are found in smaller zones (50-500 inhabitants) with a higher percentage of fecally contaminated samples. Chemical contamination was detected in two zones, mainly due to exceeded levels of lead and the pesticide desethyl-atrazine.

Neutral

The average concentrations of dioxins and dl-PCBs in fish and seafood are the highest among all foods, followed by other animal-derived foods. Long-term average exposure of the Slovenian population to dioxins due to fish consumption does not exceed the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI), except for infants and toddlers, indicating a higher health risk for the most vulnerable groups. When considering only fish consumers, exposure to dioxins and PCBs exceeds the TWI in all age groups.

Bad

Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks. Between 2014 and 2023, Slovenia reported annually slightly less than 3,000 to over 7,000 cases of LB and an average of 105 TBE cases (the highest in 2020 - 187 cases, the lowest in 2015 and 2021 - 62 cases). Due to climate change, which influences the expansion of tick habitats and extends their activity season, the risk of infection may increase in the future. Increased awareness and individual prevention are key factors in reducing the burden of both diseases.