Sarajevo’s Air Quality Hits Record High Globally

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is experiencing severe air pollution, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) topping global rankings. PM2.5 concentrations far exceed World Health Organization safety standards, surpassing pollution levels in traditionally heavily polluted cities like Delhi and Lahore. This surge in pollution stems from multiple overlapping factors: Sarajevo’s location in a valley, combined with winter temperature inversions, leads to poor air circulation and hinders the dispersion of pollutants. while rising emissions from household coal and wood heating combined with vehicle exhaust further elevate PM2.5 levels. World Bank data indicates approximately 3,300 premature deaths annually in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to PM2.5 exposure, with air pollution-related economic losses exceeding 8% of GDP.