The capital of Bosnia: why Sarajevo is the most polluted city in the world

The Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, was engulfed intermittently in a toxic fog since early Decemberwith air quality so bad that Wednesday ranked first on the list of the world’s most polluted cities for the second day in a row.

Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, which compiles a list in real time, has placed its AQI index on Sarajevo’s air quality at 301, which falls into the “very unhealthy” category.followed by 239 in the Indian city of Calcutta.

“This morning I felt like crying because I had to go out and inhale poison to go to work,” said Amra Jaganjac, a Sarajevo resident. “I know change takes timebut our authorities are too slow and (pollution) is killing us.”

Historically, dangerously high levels of air pollution in the winter months have been a seemingly intractable problem for Sarajevo.which is located in a deep valley between the mountains.

However, the situation has worsened further, with emissions and pollution increasing by 3% per year over the last decade due to the proliferation of tall buildings that impede air circulation, the use of old and highly polluting vehicles and the highest consumption of coal for heating in the city.

Local authorities have recently recognized that air pollution is a serious problem and have begun taking measures to solve it, including gradually improving public transport and increasing the number of energy-efficient buildings.

Sarajevo is one of 100 cities that the European Union is helping to achieve net zero emissions by the end of the decade and is currently developing action and investment plans for climate neutrality across all sectors, including energy and transportthrough a process that involves the private sector, citizens and research institutions.

High levels of air pollution affect other cities in Bosnia due to the country’s reliance on coal and wood for heating and coal for electricity generation.

According to the World Bank, It is estimated that around 3,300 people die prematurely in Bosnia every year due to exposure to air pollution, which accounts for 9% of total annual mortality. Around 16% of this healthcare burden falls on Sarajevo and the northwestern city of Banja Luka.

AP Agency