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The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMI) determines, based on measurements and modeling, municipalities that are or may be more at risk from poor air quality. For example, the number of households heating with solid fuel, population density or geographical conditions of the area are taken into account. Based on the methodology for the integrated assessment of municipalities with regard to the risk of adverse air quality, several municipalities with varying degrees of risk were identified in the Trenčín Region. A total of 28 municipalities have been assigned risk level 1, another 56 municipalities risk level 2 and 60 municipalities risk level 3. A total of 144 municipalities out of a total of 276 in the region have been defined as risky. 

Measures to reduce pollutant emissions must be implemented in these municipalities. According to analyses, approximately 205.8 thousand inhabitants of the Trenčín Region live in the municipalities identified in this way. 

Municipalities with RS2

Bobot, Bolešov, Bošáca, Brestovec, Bzince pod Javorinou, Čachtice, Čavoj, Dežerice, Dolná Poruba, Dolná Súča, Drietoma, Dubodiel, Horná Breznica, Horná Poruba, Horná Súča, Chocholná-Velčice, Ilava, Klátova Nová Ves, Kolačno, Košeca, Košecké Podhradie, Kšinná, Ladce, Lednica, Lednické Rovne, Malá Hradná, Melčice-Lieskové, Mestečko, Mojtín, Moravské Lieskové, Motešice, Myjava, Nadlice, Nemšová, Neporadza, Nová Bošaca, Nováky, Pečeňany, Pruské, Prusy, Ruskovce, Skalka nad Váhom, Sverepec, Trenčianska Teplá, Trenčianske Stankovce, Tužina, Valaská Belá, Veľká Hradná, Veľké Držkovce, Veľké Uherce, Visolaje, Vrbovce, Zlatníky, Zliechov, Zubák, Záriečie 

Municipalities with RS3 

Beluša, Brezová pod Bradlom, Brvnište, Bystričany, Cigeľ, Čereňany, Diviacka Nová Ves, Diviaky nad Nitricou, Dohňany, Dolná Breznica, Dolná Mariková, Handlová, Hatné, Horná Mariková, Horná Ves, Hrachovište, Hradište, Hrasné, Jablonka, Jalovec, Jasenica, Kamenec pod Vtáčnikom, Klieština, Kostolné, Košariská, Krajné, Lazy pod Makytou, Lehota pod Vtáčnikom, Lubina, Lysá pod Makytou, Lúky, Mala Čausa, Nimnica, Nitrianske Rudno, Nitrianske Sučany, Nitrica, Opatovce nad Nitrou, Oslany, Papradno, Plevník-Drienové, Podhradie, Podkylava, Podolie, Polianka, Poriade, Považská Bystrica, Priepasné, Prievidza, Púchov, Rudník, Ráztočno, Stará Myjava, Stara Tura, Strezenice, Stupne, Trencin, Udica, Vadovce, Velkaa Causa, Zemianske Kostolany.

One of the most significant sources of air pollution in the region is household heating. Solid fuel boilers are still mainly used in family houses, with wood being the most common fuel. In many cases, these are older types of boilers with higher emissions. Industrial and energy sources, road transport, and local sources of dust also contribute to air pollution to a lesser extent. In the past, the energy sector associated with the Nováky power plant and mining activities in the Upper Nitra area was also a significant source of emissions. However, brown coal mining in the region ended in December 2023. 

The AQIP contains several measures that are intended to help reduce emissions and at the same time raise public awareness. One of the measures is informing and educating residents about proper household heating. The measures are intended to help reduce concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and benzo(a)pyrene dust particles, the source of which, according to the SHMI is mainly local heating. Awareness-raising activities may include, for example, information campaigns, sharing information on municipal websites or communication on social networks. 

The AQIP proposes several measures that focus on households. One of them is the gradual replacement of older solid fuel boilers with more modern and low-emission heating sources and the use of renewable energy sources. An important part of the measures is also increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, for example through insulation of houses. 

The measures that are part of the strategic program also concern transport, which is one of the significant sources of nitrogen oxide and dust particle emissions in cities. The AQIP plans to support more environmentally friendly forms of transport, develop public transport or build infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. The gradual introduction of intelligent transport systems is also mentioned, which can help to better manage traffic in cities and reduce traffic congestion. The measures also include the development of integrated public transport in the Trenčín Region or the construction of “Park and Ride” parking lots, which are intended to motivate drivers to switch from cars to public transport. 

The AQIP also includes measures in the industrial sector. This mainly concerns the modernization of technological equipment and the installation of filtration systems that reduce emissions of dust particles and other pollutants in specific operations. 

The air quality improvement program for the Trenčín Region zone is available on the website of the Trenčín District Office and on the environmental web portal Enviroportál. 

Several professional institutions participated in the preparation of the AQIP, including the Trenčín Self-Governing Region Office, the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic, and the Institute of Environmental and Social Research. The Trenčín District Office also established an advisory committee that cooperated with representatives of local governments and experts in the preparation of the measures. The AQIP is intended to be one of the tools that will help gradually reduce pollutant emissions and improve air quality in the Trenčín Region.