Institute for Public Health of Sarajevo Canton Recommendations to Citizens Due to Air Pollution: Limit Outdoor Activity

(Patria) - Citizens of Sarajevo Canton are exposed to high concentrations of pollutants every winter, primarily caused by the use of small individual stoves, old, poorly maintained cars, and poor traffic flow.

The effect of pollutants on the human body can be acute (exposure of the body to high concentrations in a short period) and chronic (exposure of the body to lower concentrations over a longer period), and it is reflected in an increase in chronic respiratory diseases (bronchitis, asthma, cancer...), according to the health recommendations of the Institute for Public Health of Sarajevo Canton.

Symptoms that occur as a result of exposure to pollutants are individual and manifest as headaches, irritation, difficulty breathing, coughing, and impaired lung and heart function due to lack of oxygen in the body.

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS

- Reduce time spent and recreational activities outdoors in urban areas during periods when pollutant concentrations exceed permissible levels!

- Especially limited outdoor activity (parks, playgrounds...) applies to high-risk population groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and chronically ill individuals!

- The working-age population (healthy individuals) should adjust their free time activities to the conditions and minimize outdoor activity!

- If you must be outdoors, it is recommended to use personal protection in the form of protective masks with appropriate filters to mitigate the harmful effects on health. Breathing through the nose reduces mechanical damage to the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs.

- Ventilate rooms during periods of lowest pollutant concentrations!

- Regularly spend time in fresh air on nearby mountains!

- Reduce cigarette smoking and time spent in smoky and unventilated rooms!

- Take prescribed therapy regularly from your attending physician!

- Increase fluid intake, and if possible, consume fruits, vegetables, and vitamin supplements!

Diseases associated with air pollution:

Acute bronchitis - Direct irritant effect of dust, SO2, petrochemical agents (PAHs). Smoking carries a high risk of developing respiratory and heart diseases.

Acute respiratory infection – Especially sensitive are children and the very elderly. Poverty, malnutrition, and exposure to infectious agents are favorable conditions for the occurrence of acute respiratory infection in sensitive population subgroups.

Chronic bronchitis – Air pollution increases the frequency and severity of cough and/or sputum production. Smoking has a significant effect.

Asthma – Air pollution provokes asthmatic crises, likely on a reflex basis, increasing hypersensitivity and allergies. The effects of ozone, chromium, nickel, cadmium, and beryllium, and dust are significant here. Headache – This particularly relates to carbon monoxide (CO), which has a strong ability to bind to hemoglobin.

Irritation – Sensitive individuals suffer from disorders caused by irritation of the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes and nose.

Cancer – Some air pollutants are classified as I and II carcinogens by IARC. In industrially polluted environments, airborne carcinogens (asbestos, arsenic, SiO2) contribute to about 30-50% of all cancer causes, most commonly lung cancer.