Sarajevo is the most polluted city in the world

Bosnian capital Sarajevoshrouded in toxic haze intermittently since early December, and the air quality was so poor that it occupied Wednesday First place on the list of the most polluted cities in the world For the second day in a row.

Swiss company for air quality technology IQ Airwhich compiles a list in real time, on Wednesday put Sarajevo’s air quality index (AQI) at 301, which is in the category “Very unhealthy” Followed by 239 in the Indian city of Kolkata.

“This morning I felt like crying because I had to go out and inhale poison to go to work,” said Amra Jaganjak, a Sarajevo resident. “I know that change takes time, but our authorities are too slow and (pollution) It’s killing us“.

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

However, the situation has deteriorated further, with emissions and pollution increasing by 3% per year over the past decade due to… The spread of high-rise buildings that impede air circulation, The use of old, highly polluting vehicles and the increased consumption of coal for city heating.

Local authorities have recently realized that air pollution is a serious problem and have begun to take measures to solve it, including: Gradual improvement of public transportation Increasing the number of energy-efficient buildings.

Sarajevo is one of 100 cities that the EU is helping to achieve net-zero emissions by the end of the decade, and is currently developing action and investment plans for climate neutrality in all sectors, including energy and transport, through a process involving the private sector, citizens and research organisations.

High levels of air pollution are affecting 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, estimates indicate this 3,300 people in Bosnia die prematurely every year due to exposure to air pollution. This represents 9% of total annual deaths. About 16% of this health burden falls on Sarajevo and the northwestern city of Banja Luka.

(With information from AP)