Outlier

For almost all of December, we lived in a cloud of pollution. On most days, a grey wall of smog obscured our view of the houses across the street. On better days, you could kind of see them. It was so bad, the majority of plane flights into and out of Sarajevo were cancelled. All of posts pouch bags were stuck. While only a few of our holiday orders were caught in the delay (because I ordered most of our stuff in advance), and miraculously our pollution masks managed to make it in before the mail cut out (YAY) not everyone was as lucky. Near the end of the month, it finally cleared, and we were able to see the sky.

I know. You are probably saying, "Suck it up, because you're not in China", right?

Monday, the reports were that our pollution index here in Sarajevo was over 500, and our MED unit put out an email blast warning us about it.
That is China Bad.
Tuesday, it was still bad.

Today, The smog is back.

So you say, "That's why you get three air purifiers with your housing."

 Before we came to Sarajevo, we asked post if we needed to purchase additional purifiers for our home. We were told no, that we would be provided three. At the time, no one at post had experience sustained smog conditions beyond a day or two. Those air purifiers, which I will link to here, are rated for areas up to 700 feet. That's enough for a bedroom. We have one in our bedroom, and one in each of our children's bedrooms. It is not enough for all the living areas in the house. Even if I bring down a purifier to the living room/dining room/kitchen, it is not enough. I know, I did. My chest still felt like a squeeze toy with the air squished out of it. It is not fun.
   In an attempt to ensure that less of the smog was entering our home, we put in a work order for someone to come out and make sure the doors and windows are sealed properly. When the crew came, they added sealant to some of the windows, and reinforced our back and front doors. We were also told that on bad days we should 'go to the mountains to get out of the air'. No joke.

Going to the mountains is not a solution. It should not be the answer to, "Hey, I have two little kids- one who hasn't even hit two yet, and I'd like them to be able to play in the house not breathing pollutants from outside, can you please do something to make the house less leaky?" I am not being unreasonable. I am not being that EFM* who is always making life miserable for GSO or Facilities.

So, we bought our own. Which we received at the beginning of this month when the skies cleared. We also received our air monitor, so that we know how bad the air quality is in the house.

Now you are probably (if you have access) looking up post info to go reports and how much differential we have. Let me save you some time- the reports mention the pollution in winter, and our differential is 15%. 

15% is probably less than what they should be paying, however, I suppose I should just shut up, right?

No.

I think that if a post has a problem significant enough that they have to provide you with technology (air filters) to combat it, information relating to the problem (and things you might want to get before arrival to make life better for you and your family) should be made available as a document, along with all the other information available at the OBC about post. I don't think that's too much to ask. I realize that we are all adults, and as such there should be some effort on the part of an individual to look for the information on their own. But let's face it, if you don't know to ask, you don't know to look. And new FS people (direct hires and EFMs) don't, because they have no prior reference point in this new life.

Ever since we started on this grand adventure, and with every new post I have thought, "What have I learned that I can apply to/ask about for the next post?" With Ashgabat, it was services. With Berlin, it was housing concerns. Now, with Sarajevo, it is air quality and pollution levels.

Now, I will be looking at the air quality levels being reported at post. Not perfect, but it is something.

I will be taking into consideration if we have to make additional purchases for maintaining air quality.

And if necessary, upgrading the masks we have for ourselves, and our kids.

*will likely be labelled as such at post, along with a slew of other unflattering names

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