Thermal power plants that use low quality coal and household heating are the main sources of particulate matter emissions that are cutting down 1.3 years of life, on average, from people living in Western Balkan cities.
Preliminary results from a report led by UN Environment show that the total number of premature deaths directly attributable to air pollution in the cities studies has risen to nearly 5,000 a year. In the region, levels of particulate matter can be over five times higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
Measures to alleviate energy poverty by making modern clean energy more accessible, along with more stringent regulations on industrial emitters and restrictions on coal thermal power stations are therefore crucial to reduce air pollution and its health impacts on citizens.
UN Environment has helped Bosnia and Herzegovina to install and refurbish air quality monitoring stations and has contributed to the creation of a national air quality index, allowing people to easily understand air quality data and its implications.
In Sarajevo, a new mobile phone app commissioned by UN Environment has been launched to make the invisible visible and help citizens avoid air pollution while walking or cycling. The ‘Sarajevo Air’ app calculates the lowest pollution route between any two points in the city. Estimated levels of PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, ozone pollution and the time required are shown for each route.
The app has been developed by King’s College London and is available free of charge for Android and Apple.
More information on air pollution in the Balkans: [ Ссылка ]
Android version of Sarajevo Air app: [ Ссылка ]
iOS version of Sarajevo Air app: [ Ссылка ]
