"Alert" episode declared, air quality worsened in Sarajevo Canton

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Due to worsening air quality and weather conditions conducive to it, the Expert Body for coordination and supervision of the implementation of the Intervention Measures Plan in cases of excessive air pollution is declaring an "Alert" episode in the Sarajevo Canton area.

Measurements of pollutant concentrations in the air in the Sarajevo Canton area at all automatic stations (Vijećnica, Hadžići, Otoka, Ilidža and Ilijaš) recorded exceedances of the limit values for PM10 particulate matter in the air (50µg/m3) for the previous day.

Other monitored pollutants, according to the Plan, do not record exceedances of hourly values. Trends for today indicate a further increase in concentrations.

According to the synoptic forecast of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, moderately cloudy to sunny weather is expected today and for the next three days, with no precipitation and weak wind, with a weaker temperature inversion mostly in the evening hours.

Due to weather conditions characterized by the presence of weaker temperature inversion and weak wind, there is a further accumulation of pollutants in the Sarajevo Canton area, primarily PM10, with an increase in the values of other monitored pollutants.

Given the forecasted stable weather conditions, with recorded exceedances of daily limit values at all automatic stations, the members of the Expert Body concluded that all conditions for declaring the "Alert" episode, as provided for in the Intervention Measures Plan in cases of excessive air pollution, have been met.