The problem of air pollution in Sarajevo attracted the attention of the world media, and was reported by the Reuters agency.
Reuters reports that Sarajevo authorities on Wednesday issued an air quality warning and imposed a ban on some cars and trucks after the city was ranked as the world’s most polluted city two evenings ago by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.
The Sarajevo Canton government took action after air quality in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina reached dangerous levels following several days of fog and smog that blanketed the city of around 350,000 residents.
Trucks over 3.5 tons and cars and trucks that do not meet European Union standards are prohibited from driving in the city, and construction work on open areas is prohibited. Public outdoor gatherings are also prohibited.
Experts say that the main sources of pollution are about 40,000 households that mainly use firewood and coal for winter heating and transportation.
“Only 500 households have received gas stoves thanks to international aid,” said Anes Podić of the environmental organization Eko Akcija, adding that 180,000 vehicles are registered in Sarajevo.
The city, located in a valley surrounded by mountains and hills, has long suffered from a phenomenon known as a temperature inversion that pushes colder air and pollutants from vehicles and fossil fuels closer to the ground. Mixed with fog, it can linger for days.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the highest levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Europe, to which solid fuel combustion for household heating and the transport sector contribute about 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, according to World Bank data.
Enis Krečinić, an expert at the Hydrometeorological Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the permissible amount of PM2.5 is exceeded more than 100 days a year.
According to the World Health Organization, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the fifth highest death rate from air pollution in the world.
The World Bank estimates that PM 2.5 air pollution causes 3,300 premature deaths each year and a loss of over 8 percent of GDP in BiH.
Aida Forto, a lung disease specialist, said that long-term exposure to air pollution, especially fine particles, can contribute to lung cancer and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
