When thinking about the world’s most polluted cities, places like Delhi or Beijing often come to mind. However, recent data show that air pollution is just as severe closer to Europe, particularly in the Balkan region, reports The Guardian.
Professor André Prévôt from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland explained:
“During winter, particulate pollution in the Balkans is the highest in Europe. Pollution levels often exceed those of Beijing, and on some days rank among the highest in the world. Sulfur dioxide levels in winter can be up to 30 times higher than the usual levels in Western Europe.”
To gain a more accurate picture, the PSI team used advanced sensors installed in a modified van, conducting 90-minute measurement loops around Sarajevo. Over several days, the team carried out up to six runs per day. Michael Bauer from PSI said:
“One major challenge was navigating traffic and the narrow hillside roads. On some evenings, the air was filled with fog, wood smoke, coal, and cooking odors from the city, especially grilled meat.”
The results showed that pollution levels exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in 66% of cases, and in some areas were more than eight times higher. The most affected zones were residential areas, where heating with wood, coal, and waste significantly contributed to pollution, including carcinogenic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, reports albinfo.ch.
A UN study from 2023 recommended improving home insulation, expanding district heating and heat pumps, conducting boiler inspections, and strengthening public awareness, identifying nine priority zones in the city. Bauer emphasized:
“Plans to reduce solid-fuel heating by up to 90% in these areas by 2033 are essential. However, other sources of pollution must not be ignored.”
The problem is further compounded by an aging vehicle fleet: the average car in Sarajevo is 19 years old, and only 10% meet modern European emission standards. By comparison, the average car in the United Kingdom in 2024 was 10 years old.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia is among the most polluted countries in the world. While Europe is moving toward carbon neutrality by 2050, the country still faces basic challenges such as measuring pollution and controlling industrial emissions. Strategies exist on paper, but implementation remains slow, especially in industrial areas with outdated technology.
It is estimated that around 3,500 people die prematurely every year in North Macedonia due to particulate air pollution.
