Smog disaster in Sarajevo: health warning for residents!

Smog disaster in Sarajevo: health warning for residents!

In the Bosnian capital Sarajevo, there is alarming air pollution, which is a real danger to the health of the citizens. The air quality index recently achieved a critical value of 225, which makes the city the most dirty worldwide, according to the Swiss technology company IQAIR. This dirty atmosphere, which has been buzzing in the city since Wednesday evening, shows itself in a thick, brown fog broth and has already brought air traffic to a standstill. The population was urgently warned to stay at home if possible to avoid damage to health. If you still have to carry out a filter mask, the public health service of Sarajevo, as well as Die Kronen Zeitung reported.

smog and its consequences

The smog in Sarajevo is not a new phenomenon, but a recurring winter problem, which is exacerbated primarily by the city's geographical boiler and the use of coal and wood for heating. These heating methods lead to high fine dust pollution, which according to experts is far more harmful than the exhaust gases of vehicles. Also ZDF reported about the increasing health warnings and the concern of residents about the poor air quality. "We suffocate," said a concerned pensioner, who pointed out that older people in particular are badly affected with heart problems.

The pressing problems with air pollution are not only limited to Sarajevo. The residents also fight with similar conditions in other Balkans such as Belgrade and Skopje. From a global point of view, the effects of air pollution are terrifying: over 4.5 million people die early every year from their consequences. In Bosnia alone, estimated 3,300 people lose their lives every year due to poor air quality, which constitutes alarming 9 percent of the country's annual mortality.