Air pollution in Sarajevo is constantly decreasing

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The concentration of pollutants in the air is constantly decreasing, and due to weather conditions, this will continue in the coming days.

The expert body for coordination and supervision of the Plan of emergency measures in cases of excessive air pollution in the Sarajevo Canton announces that today there has been a decrease in the concentration of pollutants in the air, and according to the forecast of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, a significant change in weather is expected during the evening, accompanied by snowfall, which will continue in the coming days, due to which the values of pollutants will decrease.

For the reasons mentioned above, the first episode "Readiness" of the Plan of emergency measures remains in effect upon the recommendation of the Expert Body.

On this occasion, the Institute of Public Health of Sarajevo Canton has issued the following instructions for the population, both for risk groups and for the healthy population, to reduce their movement and stay outdoors to a minimum and, as far as possible, to stay in fresh air on nearby mountains.

When staying outdoors, they should use protection in the form of respiratory protective masks to partially mitigate the harmful effects of suspended particles and soot.

Reduce ventilation of rooms until the weather changes. It is not recommended to exercise and run outdoors, as this way, due to deep breathing, larger amounts of air pollutants are inhaled into the lungs. Movement outdoors (parks, playgrounds...) is especially limited for high-risk population groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, and chronically ill individuals.

It is important for the risk group of the population not to stay in smoky and unventilated rooms, and in case of worsening of the underlying disease in chronically ill patients with cardiovascular and lung diseases (difficulty breathing, severe cough, chest tightness...), to report to their attending physician in a timely manner.

More information about self-protection measures can be found by citizens in the attachment: "Health recommendations for risk groups of the population with increased concentrations of pollutants in the air in Sarajevo Canton".

Measured values of monitored pollutants, as well as the latest information related to air quality, can be followed on the website Kvalitetzraka.ba