Alert Episode Remains in Effect Due to Pollution

The expert body for coordination and supervision of air quality monitoring, responsible, among other things, for assessing the duration of episodes of elevated pollutant concentrations in the air, announces that due to increased concentrations of dust (PM10) in the air, the First Episode «ALERT» of the Intervention Measures Plan in Cases of Excessive Air Pollution in Sarajevo Canton remains in effect, reports the Patria News Agency.

Measured values of particulate matter exceed the limit value, but vary and are below tolerant values, while concentrations of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are within permissible values.

Considering the forecasts from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, which indicate the possibility of temperature inversion, which favors the accumulation of pollutants, it is realistic to expect an increase in pollutants in the evening and early morning hours, compared to the rest of the day.

Therefore, all warnings to risk groups of the population remain in effect, to adjust their behavior and limit outdoor activities.

A special appeal is directed to all entities responsible for implementing the measures defined by the Plan for Special Air Pollution Situations, which briefly include maximum responsibility in terms of the quality of fuels used for heating residential, commercial, and industrial facilities, especially the conduct of technological processes, which must be carried out in a way that limits air emissions.

The expert body for monitoring air quality also states that there are no conditions, nor assumptions, that the situation will worsen to the extent that it is necessary to initiate the Second Episode «WARNING», which is declared if average daily PM10 values above 300µg/m3 are measured at reference stations and if stable weather conditions are expected in the next 24 hours.