Environment

Sarajevo air was polluted 90% of time last winter

sarajevo air pollution study sepa

Photo: jashta from Pixabay

Published

October 27, 2021

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

October 27, 2021

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

Daily air pollution thresholds were exceeded 90 percent of the time last winter in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo, according to preliminary results of a study on the distribution of air pollution sources in BiH.

The study focused on emissions of pollutants to the air from November 2020 to January 2021, and the levels were extremely high, Akta.ba reported.

Of note, these days Sarajevo is again among the most polluted cities in the world.

The chemical analysis of the particles will be used to list the biggest polluters and their emissions. The study was conducted simultaneously in six cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, Banja Luka, Brod and Bijeljina.

The study was prepared by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) with the help of local partners

The document was prepared by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) with the assistance of its leading project partner – the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) and research institutes from the region.

According to the analysis, based on the updated guidelines of the World Health Organization, daily values ​​of air quality exceeded prescribed limits 90 percent of the time.

Almost half of the harmful PM2.5 particles are caused by heating on wood, pellets, coal, and due to driving motor vehicles

The study will also list the main sources of the PM2.5-type particulate matter. Preliminary data indicate about 25 percent is produced by the combustion of wood and pellets for heating purposes compared to 20 percent from the combustion of coal for heating and driving motor vehicles.

A  source of about 25% of PM2.5 in BiH is in the neighbouring countries

Source of about 25 percent of PM2.5 in the air in BiH are in the surrounding countries, but also those further away. Individual events such as construction works or waste incineration have a prolonged effect on people. Construction affects air quality and people’s exposure for three months after the events take place, according to the study.

The final results of the study will be presented during the winter and spring of next year.

The study was one of the main activities of the project for improving air quality in BiH called IMPAQ.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Wind farm project Cyprus rejected protect birds habitats

Wind farm project in Cyprus rejected to protect birds, habitats

17 May 2025 - The Department of Environment of Cyprus scrapped a proposal for a wind power plant partly within or near protected areas

Citizens and activists in bulgaria oppose wind farm project that would destroy forest

Citizens, activists in Bulgaria oppose wind farm project that would destroy forest

13 May 2025 - In the Avren municipality of Bulgaria, citizens and activists are preparing a protest against a planned wind farm that would result in the felling of 30 hectares of forest.

Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 sponsors

Everything is ready for Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 – welcome!

11 May 2025 - On May 14 and 15, Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 will gather four hundred participants from more then 30 countries from the region, Europe, and beyond

Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 BEF 2025 EU Southeast Europe

Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 – top delegations coming from EU, Southeast European countries

07 May 2025 - Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 features eight panel discussions and more than 50 speakers: distinguished energy experts and representatives of energy companies