Yasmine Estela Grado, Sarajevo
Sarajevo is one of the most polluted cities in the world, and during winter, pollution levels rise to extremely high and dangerous levels. Nevertheless, most students are still required to attend school and are exposed to this pollution daily. One morning, on my way to school, the smog was so thick that cars on the street ahead were barely visible. That same morning a group of us were waiting for our buses, which had been delayed. We ended up standing there for over an hour in heavy smog—PM2.5 levels reached 460 that day. Everyone arrived late to class, but more importantly, we had spent more than an hour breathing air that was toxic and hazardous.