Elevated Sulphur Dioxide Levels in the Air in Sarajevo Canton, Chronic Patients Should Not Stay Outdoors

(Patria) - Since this morning, automatic monitoring stations in Sarajevo Canton have recorded an increase in sulphur dioxide concentrations.

The elevated levels of this pollutant in the Sarajevo Canton area are a result of long-range transport of SO2 from the north, and given the emission sources from that direction, the Kakanj Thermal Power Plant stands out as the largest source of sulphur dioxide.

The highest measured SO2 values since this morning have been recorded in Ilijaš, while elevated values have also been noted in Vogošća and Bjelave.

At the Ilijaš station, the permissible hourly limit value for sulphur dioxide has been exceeded four times.

Concentrations of other monitored pollutants are not elevated.

According to the synoptic forecast and the announced weather conditions for the coming days, it is expected that sulphur dioxide concentrations will vary, depending on wind direction and speed.

Due to the high SO2 values in Ilijaš, the Institute for Public Health of Sarajevo Canton emphasizes that staying outdoors in that area should be avoided. Chronic lung and heart patients, individuals prone to severe allergic reactions, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, and young children from the entire Canton area are also advised to avoid staying outdoors.

Considering the wind direction and meteorological parameters, which suggest that the transport of SO2 from the direction of Kakanj contributes to air pollution in Sarajevo Canton, the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Construction of Sarajevo Canton has requested from the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism to conduct an inspection of the polluter, the Kakanj Thermal Power Plant, and their continuous emission monitoring results, and to determine whether any emergency situation has occurred that caused a greater emission of pollutants compared to usual.