According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has the highest concentration air pollution out of all European cities. Coming close behind Sarajevo in the ranking are the Macedonian cities of Tetovo and Skopje, Bulgaria's Plovdiv and Romania's Timisoara.
The main causes of pollution are the antiquated heating systems used in many households as well as widespread poverty. Cars are a major culprit as well. Cars driven in the cities are old and therefore less environmentally friendly than newer models with modern catalytic converters.
Macedonia's existing environmental protection laws are being ignored. As a result, Macedonia's industrial plants do not meet European standards.
-tk-