AIR POLLUTION IN ALL ZONES OF SARAJEVO CANTON: 'Warning' episode declared

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Given the forecasted weather situation and today's high measured levels of air pollutants, the Expert Body for Coordination and Supervision of the Intervention Measures Plan in Cases of Excessive Air Pollution, according to the Plan's provisions, has made a proposal, and the Minister of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection has accepted the declaration of the 'Warning' episode in zones A, B, and D of Sarajevo Canton, and the continuation of the 'Warning' episode declared yesterday in zone C (Ilijaš). 

Measurements of pollutant concentrations in the air in the KS area have confirmed high average daily values of PM10 for the previous day at all automatic stations. 

Specifically, at the Otoka, Ilijaš, and Ilidža stations, the measured values for this pollutant exceeded the Warning Threshold (150 µg/m3), while at the Vijećnica and Hadžići stations, the limit values (50 µg/m3) were exceeded. 

In addition to high values for this pollutant, at four automatic stations – Vijećnica, Otoka, Ilijaš, and Ilidža – yesterday's daily limit values for sulfur dioxide (125 µg/m3) were exceeded, and at 2 automatic stations – Otoka and Ilidža – daily limit values for nitrogen dioxide (85 µg/m3) were exceeded. 

Currently, there is a trend of decreasing pollutant concentrations, but the concentrations of PM10 suspended particles remain above the limit values, except in the area of the Vijećnica automatic station. 

According to the synoptic forecast from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, stable weather is expected today and for the next three days, with no significant precipitation and light winds of variable direction at speeds of 1-3 m/s, with the possibility of periodic temperature inversions. 

While the 'Warning' episode is in effect in Sarajevo Canton, all entities responsible for implementing the Intervention Measures Plan in Cases of Excessive Air Pollution in KS, while maintaining all measures from the 'Readiness' episode, are obliged to implement the following measures: 

● The organization of outdoor sports and cultural activities is prohibited, in order to reduce the movement and exposure of the population to harmful substances. This measure is to be implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs upon the request of the state administration body responsible for health affairs. The Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of KS are obliged to implement this measure; 

● Intensified supervision of the technical roadworthiness of vehicles suspected of excessive environmental pollution, in accordance with the Rulebook on Technical Vehicle Inspections ('Official Gazette of BiH' no. 33/19), which will be carried out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of KS; 

● Ensuring the flow of motor vehicles without prolonged stops at main city intersections through signals and orders issued by authorized police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport of KS; 

● Prohibition of traffic for heavy goods vehicles with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3.5 tons on the main city longitudinal route from Baščaršija to Nedžarići, with traffic diversion to alternative routes. Technical traffic regulation during the prohibition will be carried out by temporary traffic signals or equipment, signs, and orders issued by authorized police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton. During the prohibition of traffic, road managers are obliged to install temporary traffic signals and equipment within their jurisdiction, including their maintenance. In addition to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of KS, the Ministry of Transport of KS, and the Cantonal Inspectorate (traffic and road inspectorate) are obliged to implement this measure; 

● Prohibition of rough construction works in outdoor and indoor spaces, which the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of KS and municipalities are obliged to ensure; 

● Application of the "wet method" for winter road maintenance by communal and other authorized institutions on all main city roads, regional and main roads, and on at least 40% of the busiest local roads. The following are responsible for the implementation of this measure: the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of KS, municipalities, road managers in the Sarajevo Canton area - JP Autoceste FBiH, JP Ceste FBiH, Directorate of Roads of Sarajevo Canton, and KJKP Rad; 

● All heating facilities with a capacity of over 50 kW using solid fuels and heavy fuel oil must reduce the temperature in the heated rooms by at least 3ºC. The Cantonal Inspectorate of KS is responsible for the implementation of this measure; 

● Reduction of operating hours for technological facilities, from the List of Plants and Facilities, whose purpose is not the production of thermal energy for heating, by at least 20 percent. This will be ensured by the Ministry of Economy of KS, the Cantonal Inspectorate of KS, and legal and natural entities from the List whose activities involve air emissions; 

● In zone A, a change in working hours for administrative bodies, public administration, and service activities is also planned in order to reduce the load on public transport capacity and traffic congestion, and to ensure better traffic flow on city roads. The Government and municipalities of KS are responsible for its implementation. 

Health recommendations and current air quality values can be followed on the website of the Public Health Institute of KS at the following link: https://zzjzks.ba/kvaliteta_zraka/