KAZALCI OKOLJA
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Data for Slovenia show that number of newly diagnosed cases of melanoma in persons under 55 years of age is increasing. Melanoma is more often diagnosed by women then by men. Most of the melanoma cases are most likely related to acute, occasional and excessive sun exposure, mainly in childhood. Nevertheless there is a 20-40 year time delay between the sun exposure and the occurrence of cancer, the incidence of melanoma in persons under 55 years of age, is a good indicator of the final success of measures taken against excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in childhood.

Neutral

The estimated average long-term dietary intake of metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury) for the adult population of Slovenia does not exceed the corresponding reference points (BMDL) or health-based guidance values (tolerable daily/weekly intakes). However, for children, the average intake of lead, cadmium and mercury (fish consumers) may be exceeded, a situation similar to that in the EU.

Neutral

In Slovenia the concentration of dioxins in human milk is low and comparable to those in the neighboring countries. Long-term surveillance will be possible once regular national human biomonitoring is established and assured.

Neutral

Due to high lead content in the environment, the Upper Meža Valley area was declared a brownfield site area in 2007 and underwent special remediation measures with the aim of protecting the health of people, especially children. Data shows that the lead exposure of children in the Upper Meža Valley improved rapidly in the early years of implementing the remediation measures, but no further improvement was observed after 2010. A prevalence study of lead levels in children's blood from the Meža Valley in 2018 even showed higher values compared to a study conducted in 2013.

Neutral

One of the main reasons of mortality due to respiratory diseases is in Slovenia chronic pulmonary disease (COPD). The highest mortality rate due to respiratory diseases in Slovenia is in Savinjska and Zasavska region and the lowest in Central-Slovenian region (2017–2021). Mortality due to respiratory diseases is decreasing; in the period 2017 to 2021 it decreased from 62/100.000 inhabitants to 32/100.000 inhabitants. This can be attributed to the “harvesting effect” of COVID 19.

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Foodborne diseases remain an important public health challenge and they are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. During 2018–2022 Slovenia reported 1152 different outbreaks. The most common were the respiratory disease outbreaks (902), outbreaks with contact transmission (186), followed by and foodborne disease outbreaks (22).

Neutral

Heatwaves have a significant impact on public health as they can lead to increased mortality. The most vulnerable groups include elderly individuals and patients with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, mental disorders, diabetes, and obesity. An analysis of the association between heatwaves and increased or decreased mortality (time series from 2020 to 2022) was conducted based on diagnoses (all causes, cardiovascular diseases), gender, and age group (all age groups and those aged 75 and older).

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Foodborne infections or intestinal infectious diseases (IID) remain a significant public health concern in Slovenia and globally. The incidence of foodborne infections or IID in Slovenia, as in other countries, is estimated based on reported cases of intestinal infectious diseases.

Neutral

Population exposure to allergens has been increasing not only in Slovenia but also worldwide. This phenomenon is influenced by the increase in average air temperature. Higher average air temperature results in a longer growing season and thus the longer presence of allergenic pollen in the air. Particularly noteworthy is to mention the pollen of alder, birch, grasses and ambrosia. The severity of exposure to the allergen pollen of alder, birch, grasses and ambrosia shows large annual fluctuations, with distinct differences between the continental Slovenia and the littoral area.

Neutral

Children in primary schools and kindergartens in the Municipality of Nova Gorica are only partially exposed to exceeded levels of road traffic noise. Measurements show that limit value for playgrounds (55 dB (A), set as a recommendation by the World Health Organization, is exceeded only at the most exceeded facade by 3 of 12 elementary schools and 5 of 16 kindergartens. As in the school year 2012/2013 1,162 students (in those 3 schools) and 439 children (in those 5 kindergartens) were exposed to some noise it would be reasonable to carry out noise measurements.