Air pollution in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, assessed by plant comet assay.

This article focuses on evaluating Ligustrum vulgare L. (common privet) as a plant-based biomonitoring model for assessing air pollution-induced DNA damage in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country with notably poor air quality and high pollution-related mortality. Using the comet assay to measure DNA damage (tail intensity, TI) in leaves collected from two urban sites in Sarajevo and one rural site, the study found significantly higher DNA damage in urban areas, especially near heavy traffic, and during winter months characterized by temperature inversions that exacerbate pollution. The research also observed variations in DNA damage related to leaf position and growth stage, as well as effects corresponding to COVID-19 lockdown periods, with lower damage during lockdown-associated reduced pollution. The findings suggest that L. vulgare is a sensitive and reliable bioindicator for air pollution biomonitoring, though further studies are recommended to refine correlations with air quality data and plant physiology.