Critical in Sarajevo: Air Pollution Warning Episode Declared, Possible ALERT in the Coming Days!

Based on indicators of measurements of air pollutants in the Sarajevo Canton area, which show increasing exceedances of permitted values of PM10 particulate matter, the Operational Team for the implementation of the Plan of Intervention Measures in cases of excessive air pollution in the Sarajevo Canton has adopted a Decision declaring the second warning episode, Patria reports.

In accordance with the updated Plan of Intervention Measures in cases of excessive air pollution in the Sarajevo Canton from 2014, the Operational Team within this episode orders:

- Restrictions on the operation of thermal energy production facilities with a capacity over 50 kW that use solid fuels and heating oil, in terms of reducing the temperature by at least 3 degrees, changing energy sources for heat production by switching to more environmentally friendly ones, in accordance with available possibilities, limiting the number of working hours or in another way, with increased inspection supervision;

- A warning that all thermal energy production facilities with a capacity over 1 MW that use natural gas reduce the temperature in the spaces they heat by at least 2 degrees;

- Ensuring the flow of motor vehicles without prolonged stopping at main city intersections with the highest measured concentrations of pollutants, by changing the signal plan of traffic-light-controlled intersections on the main city road from Baščaršija to Ilidža, which would affect the duration of the "green wave";

- Use of means for reducing PM10 dust particles by utility companies and other legal entities that perform winter road maintenance;

- Prohibition of performing rough construction works in open and closed spaces;

 

It is noted that all measures implied by the previously declared FIRST EPISODE OF PREPAREDNESS from December 7, 2016, remain in force.

According to the updated Plan, entities obligated to implement measures are required to submit information on the measures taken no later than 24 hours after the declaration of the episode of increased concentrations of pollutants in the air to the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs via email: [email protected] or telephone - fax 033/770-151.

It is emphasized that legal and natural persons, as provided for by this plan, who do not comply with the prescribed measures are subject to sanctions defined by the Decision on the Protection and Improvement of Air Quality in the Sarajevo Canton (Official Gazette of the Sarajevo Canton number 23/16).

According to expert assessments and measurements, it is certain that the concentration of PM10 particles will increase in the coming days, and the public is informed that it is possible that as early as Sunday, December 25, 2016, at 07:00 hours, the application of measures from the ALERT episode will be in force.

This measure implies a temporary restriction on the use of motor vehicles, i.e., the introduction of a driving system based on the "odd-even" license plate principle, whereby on that day the ban would apply to vehicles whose license plates end with an even number. This would not apply to vehicles of the police, the Ministry of Defense, public city transport, utility companies, and vehicles with diplomatic plates, as well as emergency intervention vehicles (ambulance, Civil Protection, fire department), and vehicles for supplying medicines and foodstuffs.

Citizens are urged to minimize movement and staying outdoors during this period, with this particularly applying to vulnerable categories (pregnant women, children, the elderly, chronic patients).

The Operational Team, together with the Expert Body for Coordination and Supervision, continuously monitors the development of the situation and will timely inform the public about all changes regarding the state of air quality and its impact on the health of the population of the Sarajevo Canton. It is particularly emphasized that the information present in the public in recent days, disseminated by unauthorized organizations, is irrelevant and unprofessional, which is why citizens are advised that official data on the state of air quality can be monitored via the websites air-monitoring.ba and vlada.ks.gov.ba.