Living with Air Pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In this post I would like to address the topic of Pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina

When I first moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina over two decades ago, I was struck by the beauty of the place, rolling hills, dense forests, winding rivers, and clear, crisp air.

At least, that’s how it felt during the warmer months. But then winter rolled in, and I started to notice something different. A thick, smoky haze settled over the valley where I live. It wasn’t fog.

It was pollution, and it had a way of seeping into everything.

Back then, I didn’t think too much about it. I thought it was just “how winters are here.”

But over the years, as I’ve become more rooted in the community and more aware of environmental issues, I’ve realised that air pollution is a very real, and very serious, problem in this beautiful country.

The Winter Smog Blanket

One of the first things you notice in the colder months is the smell. It’s a mix of wood smoke, coal, and what I can only describe as burnt plastic.

In cities like Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Zenica, the air can become so thick with pollution that it looks like you’re walking through a misty morning, even though the sky is perfectly clear above.

It happens every year, like clockwork. When people switch on their old stoves and start burning whatever fuel they can get their hands on, wood, coal, even bits of rubbish in some cases, the air fills up with fine particles that you can’t see but definitely feel.

If you’ve got asthma or any kind of respiratory issue, you feel it even more.

Why Is the Air So Bad?

There are a few reasons why air pollution gets so bad here, especially in winter.

First, heating. A lot of households in Bosnia, especially in smaller towns and villages, still rely on old-fashioned wood-burning or coal stoves.

They’re cheap and familiar, but they’re also incredibly polluting.

Modern insulation and heating systems are too expensive for many people, so they stick with what they know.

Second, the vehicles.

If you spend time on the roads here, you’ll notice a lot of older cars, many of them diesel, many without proper filters. Combine that with narrow city streets and poor traffic flow, and you’ve got a recipe for dirty air.

Then there’s industry. In places like Zenica, where the steel mill has been running for decades, the pollution doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas.

I remember driving past Zenica on a cold day and seeing a yellow haze hanging over the city.

It looked like something out of a dystopian film.

And finally, geography plays a role.

Cities like Sarajevo sit in a valley, surrounded by hills and mountains. In winter, temperature inversions trap the cold air, and all the pollution, with nowhere to go.

It just sits there, day after day.

The Human Impact

It’s not just an environmental issue. It’s a health issue. A serious one.

There are high rates of respiratory illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.

It’s also an economic issue.

People miss work because of pollution-related illnesses.

Healthcare systems are stretched.

And tourism? It’s hard to promote a “winter wonderland” when the air is thick with smog.

Are Things Getting Better?

There are some glimmers of hope. Over the last few years, I’ve seen more people talking about air quality, in the news, and even in local government.

Some cities have installed air monitoring stations, and apps like “Zrak.Eko” now let you check the air quality in real time.

There are EU-funded projects promoting cleaner heating systems and offering incentives for people to switch to pellets or gas.

But uptake is slow, and many people simply can’t afford the switch.

The truth is, real change will take time, and it will need both local and national leadership.

More importantly, it needs awareness and pressure from everyday people, like you and me.

So What Can We Do?

Living in Bosnia means adapting. And when it comes to air pollution, I’ve learned a few tricks.

I keep my windows closed during the worst days and only ventilate the house when the air is a bit better.

I avoid going for long walks when the pollution is especially bad, and believe me, that’s hard, because walking in nature is one of my favourite things about life here.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a beautiful country with so much to offer. It deserves clean air, and so do the people who live here.