Data of the EEA from early April to mid-October showed that in Sofia there has not been one day exceeding the fine particulate matter standards.

Ten filters have been installed to clean the flue gases from solid fuel stoves in the Krasna Polyana district. Measurements show that the filters reduce pollution by between 75 and 80%. They operated on the principle of electrostatics and have a very low power consumption of 30 watts. For a whole heating season, the electricity bill for one household will increase by up to BGN 20. The pilot project is implemented in partnership with "Clean Air Systems", which donated the filters. This said the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova at an on-site inspection of one of the sites where a filter is installed.

In the winter months, the most serious problem with air quality is the solid fuel heating - low-grade coal, green firewood and unregulated waste incineration.

A study of the heating in Sofia showed that 55 thousand households use firewood and coal. Sofia Municipality is ready to apply for replacement of the old stoves with new environmental options - gas, steam, pellets, electricity - under the Environment Operational Program and the Life Program. The aim is within 3 years to replace old wood and coal powered stoves of 30% of households, which will have a direct positive effect on the air quality, said Mayor Fandakova.

“I talked to Minister Biser Petkov and we are working together for the social benefits for heating to support the alternative fuel. Without support and without a special incentive for households to replace their heating installations, we will not achieve a good result.”

According to Fandakova, the official data of the Executive Environment Agency from the beginning of April to the middle of October showed that in Sofia there has not been one day exceeding the fine particulate matter standards.

Sofia Municipality is also an initiator for the introduction of standards for firewood and coal with lower ash, sulphur and humidity content. Regarding unregulated waste incineration, we perform regular inspections of scrap collecting points and vehicle workshops, as well as in areas where we have people alerts of burning tires and cables citizens. To facilitate and encourage the proper disposal of waste that is used for incineration - tires and old clothes - we have organized special points for their collection, said also Mayor Fandakova.