Air still polluted, 'Alert' remains in effect

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Despite short-term improvements in air quality in Sarajevo Canton today, monitoring results indicate that the "Alert" episode must be maintained, as very high levels of PM10 pollutants are still present in the early morning and night hours.

Yesterday's average daily values of this pollutant in the air were 368.2 μg/m3 in Ilijaš, 306 μg/m3 in Otoka, 168.3 μg/m3 in Vijećnica, and 282.6 μg/m3 in Ilidža. Today's average PM10 values by 1:00 PM were 301.50 μg/m3 in Ilijaš, 247.38 μg/m3 in Otoka, and 288.47 μg/m3 in Ilidža.

According to data from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, stable weather with temperature inversion will persist for the next two days, which means little or no mixing of air from ground layers with higher layers. This favors the accumulation of harmful pollutants in the ground layer of the atmosphere, announced the KS Press Service.

The announcement reminds that within the "Alert" episode, measures are being taken to ban the movement of cars with diesel engines that meet EURO3 standards or lower, with increased controls by inspection bodies with the assistance of MUP bodies, and a ban on the movement of freight vehicles with engines that meet standards lower than EURO3 in Zone A. This does not apply to vehicles of the police, inspection, Ministry of Defense, public city transport, public utility companies, vehicles of legal entities performing urgent interventions for utility companies, vehicles with diplomatic plates, vehicles of disabled persons, taxi vehicles, and emergency vehicles (civil protection, ambulance, firefighters).

The ban on the use of solid fuels and heavy oils by all legal and natural persons using them in their technological processes is also in effect. Organizing classes in schools to avoid crowds in public city transport, and suspending classes if necessary, is another measure included in this episode.

The measures from the "Warning" and "Readiness" episodes remain in effect in all zones of Sarajevo Canton. All responsible parties are urged to adhere to the implementation of the Intervention Measures Plan in cases of excessive air pollution, and the population is urged not to contribute further to air pollution through their behavior and activities.

Recommendations on self-protection measures for increased concentrations of pollutants in the air are available on the website of the Ministry of Health: https://mz.ks.gov.ba/aktuelnosti/zdravstvene-preporuke-rizicnim-grupama-stanovnistva-kod-povecanih-koncentracija