Increased dust particle levels in the air trigger readiness episode

Based on indicators of air pollutant measurements in the Sarajevo Canton area showing exceedances of the permitted levels of PM10 particulate matter, the Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton, Čedomir Lukić, acting as President of the Operational Staff, after a meeting with members of the Staff and the Expert Body, issued an Order declaring the first episode – Readiness for increased concentrations of air pollutants in Sarajevo Canton.

As the concentrations of these particles are particularly high in the morning and evening hours, and as the weather forecast of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute for the next 24 hours and the next three days indicates stable weather conditions conducive to further accumulation of pollutants, in accordance with the Plan of Intervention Measures, the declared state of readiness includes measures aimed at preventing further air pollution and protecting human health and property.

Within the «Readiness» episode, the approved measures include:

- warning to at-risk population groups to reduce movement,

- appeals to drivers to reduce the use of private cars,

- warning that any burning of waste in households is punishable and calling for, in case of

suspicion, such illegal actions to be reported to the competent municipal and cantonal inspections,

- intensification of activities of KJKP «Rad» and «Park» Sarajevo, as well as other operators in cleaning

roads and other public surfaces to reduce PM10 dust emissions,

- call to the population not to further contribute to air pollution through their behavior and activities,

- call to legal entities, owners or users of boiler rooms or furnaces, to take all necessary, technically feasible measures to reduce emissions into the air, including cleaning of flue gas installations, and if necessary, postpone the execution of all operations that could worsen air quality,

- warning that all combustion plants over 1 MW using solid fuels and heavy oils for heating reduce heat energy production by a minimum of 2°C.

- KJKP „Toplane“ Sarajevo, as well as other entities engaged in the production and distribution of heat energy, regardless of their users, reduce the temperature in the spaces they heat by 1°C.

During the mentioned period, inspection authorities will carry out increased controls of plants and entities that produce and distribute heat energy, which, within the prescribed measures, have an obligation to reduce heat energy production as prescribed.

In addition to the increased values of dust particles, as stated today, the concentrations of other pollutants are below the limit values prescribed by legal regulations.