Message to the Government: Systematically Address Air Pollution in Sarajevo and Protect Children's Health

The Management Board of the Parents' Council of Sarajevo Canton, at its session held today in Sarajevo, welcomed the decision of the Government of Sarajevo Canton to suspend classes in primary and secondary schools, and emphasizes that it is necessary to continue the suspension of classes as long as the state of endangerment to health and life persists, reports the Patria News Agency.

- At the same time, the Government of Sarajevo Canton is urged to take all necessary measures and activities to reduce pollution as contained in the document "ACTION PLAN for reducing particulate matter in the air in the Sarajevo Canton area," from 2013, in order to resolve this issue systematically and on a long-term basis.

The Parents' Council of KS, representing over 100,000 parents of primary and secondary school students, particularly emphasized that the Sarajevo Canton Emergency Medical Service daily appeals to citizens not to go outside, not to open windows, to use filters in their living spaces, and to wear masks when going outside.

It was highlighted that special attention should be paid to the high-risk group of children and primary and secondary school students whose health is directly endangered. It was emphasized that the number of sick children and their absences from classes has increased in recent days.

The World Health Organization warns that such pollution causes shortened lifespans, illness from various diseases, and that the biggest problem is PM10 particulate matter, whose values exceed the annual permissible average, as well as the total number of days on which this average is exceeded.

The health and safety of our children should always come first, according to the statement signed by the president of the Parents' Council, Jasminka Kalmar.