"Warning" Episode Declared for Sarajevo Canton Due to Air Pollution

(Patria) - Based on weather forecasts and air quality status, the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton declared today the "Warning" episode for the Sarajevo Canton area, with the implementation of intervention measures.

An increase in concentrations of PM 10 polluting particles is being recorded at all measuring stations in Sarajevo Canton, and the announced weather conditions will favor poor air quality in the coming days, according to the report of the Expert Body which proposed the declaration of the Warning.

Health recommendations for individuals with chronic lung and heart diseases, as well as those prone to severe allergic reactions, the elderly population, chronically stable patients, pregnant women, and young children are to avoid spending time outdoors.

“Currently, a further increase in pollutants is being recorded at all measuring stations, which indicates that during the day, averages will be higher compared to the previous day, and that the declaration of the Warning episode is necessary for zones that were very close to the limit for the Warning episode yesterday but did not exceed it. Also, the current synoptic situation indicates stable weather without wind or the occurrence of very weak wind from the south and southeast at speeds of 1-2 m/s, with the occurrence of temperature inversion in the morning and evening hours. Similar weather conditions are expected in the next 48 hours and longer, characterized by temperature inversion in the morning and evening hours and weak wind, predominantly from the south and southeast. The unfavorable situation regarding air quality is expected to persist for the next few days, indicating the possibility of further and relatively rapid accumulation of pollutants,” explained the Expert Body in the proposal for the episode declaration.

During this episode, the movement of cars and trucks with engines meeting EURO2 standards or lower is prohibited in Zone A. One of the measures is the prohibition of traffic for trucks with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 3.5 tons on the main city longitudinal route from Baščaršija to Nedžarići, with traffic being rerouted to alternative routes.

Outdoor construction work is also prohibited. All heating plants with a capacity of over 50 kW using solid and liquid fuels are obliged to reduce the temperature in the heated premises by at least 2ºC. It is also necessary to ensure the protection of workers working outdoors.

Starting tomorrow, other measures will be implemented, including the prohibition of children staying outdoors, outside the school building during long and short breaks, and conducting physical education classes in the schoolyard.