The Association for Research and Social Innovation (ADT) has published a new policy brief on pollution and disaster risks in the Municipality of Kakanj, based on research conducted through a citizen science initiative supported by the EU project IMPETUS. The publication presents alarming findings about the scale of industrial pollution and its long-term consequences for public health, the environment, and the resilience of the local community.
The research was carried out between June 2025 and January 2026, with the participation of 127 citizens – “citizen scientists” who, through fieldwork, focus groups, workshops, and online geo-mapping, documented 197 locations of environmental and disaster risks across the municipality of Kakanj. The aim of the research was not only to identify individual hazards but also to understand how different environmental and industrial risks interact and reinforce one another.
Chemical risks as the dominant threat
The findings show that chemical and industrial risks caused by human activities represent the most significant threat to the safety, health, and resilience of the local population. These risks are not isolated incidents but long-term processes of environmental degradation that accumulate over time and often remain invisible until they produce serious health and ecological consequences.
The main sources of pollution identified in the research include:
-emissions from Kakanj Thermal Power Plant,
-pollution from the Kakanj Cement Factory,
-household heating using coal and wood during winter months,
-industrial transport and heavy trucks connected to mining activities,
-mining waste and tailings,
-illegal waste dumps and untreated municipal wastewater.
Air pollution is particularly alarming. During the winter of 2025/2026, extreme Air Quality Index (AQI) levels above 400 were recorded, placing Kakanj among the most polluted cities in the world during certain periods. Long-term exposure to such pollution is associated with increased rates of respiratory, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases.
Water and soil contamination – the hidden risks
In addition to air pollution, the study highlights serious problems related to water and soil contamination. Evidence suggests contamination of rivers and groundwater with heavy metals, particularly in the basin of the Bosna River and its tributaries, likely linked to mining activities and industrial waste. Citizens participating in the mapping process reported:
-changes in the color and smell of drinking water,
-turbidity in water sources,
-fish mortality in rivers,
-worsening water quality following heavy rainfall.
The research also documented long-term soil contamination caused by industrial waste, ash deposits, mining tailings, and illegal landfills, which pose risks for agricultural land and food safety.
When pollution and natural disasters intersect
The analysis demonstrates that in Kakanj natural and industrial risks are deeply interconnected. Long-term pollution of air, water, and soil increases the vulnerability of the area to floods, landslides, and other natural hazards. The municipality already has 183 active landslides, many of which are linked to mining activities and environmental degradation.
Climate change further intensifies these risks, as periods of drought followed by intense rainfall increase the likelihood of flash floods, erosion, and the spread of pollutants through river systems.
Citizen science as a tool for change
A key feature of this project is the use of citizen science, an approach that actively involves residents in collecting and analyzing data about issues of public concern. This approach enables:
-identification of local and often overlooked risks,
-collection of data that institutional systems frequently fail to capture,
-integration of scientific analysis with the lived experiences of residents,
-stronger community participation in decision-making processes.
A call for urgent policy change
The policy brief calls for urgent changes in public policies related to environmental protection, disaster risk management, and public health in Kakanj. Key recommendations include:
-reducing local sources of air pollution,
-protecting vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly,
-improving transparency and public communication about environmental risks,
-planning and budgeting measures for cleaner energy and air quality improvement,
-strengthening coordination between municipal, cantonal, and federal institutions.
A broader lesson beyond Kakanj
The findings suggest that the environmental and public health crisis in Kakanj is not the result of a single decision or actor, but rather a long-term systemic process involving institutions, companies, and broader social dynamics. For this reason, ADT emphasizes that meaningful change requires collective action, modernization of industry, stronger governance of public resources, and active citizen participation in shaping environmental policies and local development strategies.