Due to air pollution, 'Warning' in effect: Outdoor construction banned, wear filter masks

(Patria) - Due to a significant increase in the concentration of PM 10 pollutants, as well as forecasted weather conditions, the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection KS has, based on the proposal of the Expert Body, declared the 'Warning' episode for the areas of the municipalities of Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, Stari Grad, Centar, Ilidža, Vogošća and Ilijaš, while the 'Readiness' episode has been declared for the area of the municipality of Hadžići, with the application of intervention measures.

It is recommended to avoid spending time outdoors in areas with air pollution, especially in the morning and evening hours when the concentration of pollutants in the air is highest. Persons with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, children, pregnant women and the elderly, as well as healthy individuals, are recommended to spend as much time as possible in fresh air and environments with low levels of pollutants, such as surrounding mountains and picnic areas. When outdoors, in urban areas, it is recommended to use protective masks with appropriate filters to mitigate the harmful effects of air on health.

In order to reduce the population's exposure to harmful substances, the holding of organized outdoor sports and cultural activities is prohibited in the areas of the municipalities for which 'Warning' has been declared.

According to the synoptic forecast of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, a relatively stable weather situation is expected today and for the next three days, with the possibility of temperature changes in the morning and evening hours, morning fog, and low-intensity wind, which will contribute to poor air quality.

We remind you that during the 'Warning' episode, the performance of rough construction work outdoors is prohibited. All heating plants with a capacity of over 50kW, which use solid fuels and heating oil, are obliged to reduce the temperature by at least three degrees. A reduction in the working hours of technological plants from the List of plants and facilities not intended for heating production by at least 20% is also mandated.

The traffic of freight motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of over 3.5 tons on the main city longitudinal route, on the stretch from Baščaršija to Nedžarići, is prohibited. In the areas of the municipalities of Stari Grad, Centar, Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, the movement of cars with diesel engines of EURO2 standard or lower is prohibited, with increased controls by inspection bodies and assistance from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the movement of freight vehicles with engines of EURO2 standard or lower.

The application of the so-called 'wet procedure' 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 is also mandated.

The declaration of the 'Warning' episode for the areas of the aforementioned municipalities means that the measures from the 'Readiness' episode are also in effect in those zones.

All measures from the 'Warning' and 'Readiness' episodes are available at https://mkipgo.ks.gov.ba/mjere

The Ministry calls on all those obliged to implement the Intervention Measures Plan to act promptly to reduce pollution trends.

In conditions of excessive air pollution, special care should be taken not to contribute to the deterioration of air quality through inappropriate methods of heating residential buildings, i.e., not to use wet wood, plastic, or other waste.

An appeal has also been made to the public to reduce the use of motor vehicles as much as possible.