The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina often tops the list of places with the worst air quality globally.
Flights were cancelled, children were told to stay indoors, and outdoor construction work was banned in Sarajevo on Thursday as a thick layer of fog enveloped the Bosnian capital.
Sarajevo traditionally experiences severe pollution during winter, primarily from residential heating and transport emissions.
The city is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, which can trap polluted air for days at a time without wind — a situation further compounded by large construction projects in recent years.
Several flights from Sarajevo airport were cancelled, and cars moved slowly in low visibility during the morning rush hour. Some residents of Sarajevo were seen wearing face masks to protect against toxic air.
Air quality in Sarajevo deemed 'unhealthy'
The Swiss air quality technology company IQAir on Thursday ranked air quality in the Bosnian capital as “unhealthy". The city often tops the list of places with the worst air quality globally.
Authorities on Wednesday banned trucks of over 3.5 tonnes in the Sarajevo city centre along with cars and trucks that do not meet European Union environmental standards. Any construction work outside has been banned as well as public gatherings.
Experts have warned that exposure to PM2.5 – fine inhalable particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller – has led to a rise in respiratory infections as well as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths in Sarajevo, other major cities in Bosnia and elsewhere in the Western Balkans.
'We need a systematic solution'
Enis Krečinić, an expert on air pollution from the state meteorological institute, said the levels of toxic particles in Sarajevo are sometimes 10 times higher than they should be. He noted that the situation is unlikely to change any time soon.
“We need a systematic solution,” he said, adding that some 40,000 households need time to “switch to alternative heating systems which are environmentally friendly.”
Many Balkan countries have a poor record on environmental protection despite promises to improve as they seek to move closer to EU membership.
Balkan rivers are often clogged with waste, recycling is almost non-existent and rampant construction has diminished green areas in many cities.
The air in Belgrade, the capital of neighbouring Serbia, was also deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Thursday.
