Air quality in Sarajevo deteriorated sharply on September 9, with pollution levels reaching the unhealthy category and authorities issuing recommendations for residents to limit prolonged outdoor activity. At 11 a.m., the city’s air quality index stood at 158, while the concentration of PM10 particles reached 104. Health warnings accompanying the measurements noted that people with heart and respiratory conditions, including asthma, could experience worsening symptoms, while other residents could also begin to feel the effects of the polluted air.
The highest pollution levels were recorded at several monitoring stations across the Sarajevo area. At Bjelave, the air quality index was 158, with PM10 particles measured at 104 and PM2.5 particles at 83, placing the air in the unhealthy category. Saraj Polje recorded a similar index of 157, also classified as unhealthy. At the U.S. Embassy monitoring station, the index reached 127, while Otoka recorded 126, with both locations classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups. Ilidža had the lowest recorded index among the listed stations, at 88, which was classified as moderately polluted.
Health recommendations are particularly important for vulnerable groups as pollution levels rise. People with lung and heart conditions, pregnant women, children and older adults have been advised to reduce physical activity outdoors. Other residents are also encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous exercise outside while air quality remains poor. The recommendations come as pollution has worsened noticeably over the past several days, following a period when Sarajevo’s air quality was generally in the moderate pollution range.
Recent measurements show how quickly conditions have changed. On September 8, the air quality index stood at 122, putting Sarajevo in the category considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, while on September 7 the index was 58. Between September 2 and September 7, daily readings ranged from 56 to 97, with the air consistently classified as moderately polluted. The latest increase therefore represents a significant deterioration in a relatively short period and highlights the importance of monitoring local air quality, particularly for residents who are more vulnerable to the effects of pollution.
