Legambiente's ranking of the most polluted Italian cities:22 exceed the limits of fine dust

The numbers from the Mal'Aria report estimate that 76% of large centers in Italy would be illegal according to European pollution standards

«Change of pace wanted».The title of the latest report does not leave room for too many interpretations Malaria Of Legambiente, the document that collects data on theair pollution in the main Italian cities.According to the numbers collected by the environmental association, there are 22 (out of a total of 95) cities that have exceeded the daily limits of fine dust (PM10 and PM2.5) permitted by law.The worst situations are in Turin, Milan, Modena, Asti, Padua and Venice, which recorded more than double the allowed overruns.If you take into account i European targets for the air quality forecast for 2030, the situation becomes even more critical:The 76% of Italian cities would be outlawed for PM10, 84% for PM 2.5 and 61% for nitrogen dioxide.“Air pollution is not only an environmental problem, but also a health problem of great importance,” he comments Stefano Ciafani, president of Legambiente.«In Europe, it is the leading cause of premature death due to environmental factors and Italy records a sad record with more than 52 thousand deaths per year from PM2.5, equal to a fifth of those detected across the continent."

The ranking

Earning the "black jersey" for the greatest air pollution is Turin, which in 2022 exceeded the limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of PM10 for 98 days - the maximum allowed by law is 35.In second place there is Milan, where the smog alarm was recorded 84 times.Following, other cities in the Northern regions: Asti (79 days), Modena (75), Padua (70), Venice (70), Cremona (67), Treviso (66).Finally, there are two southern cities that complete the top ten:these are Andria (47) and Ragusa (41).The annual report on air pollution in large urban centers was also an opportunity to reiterate the Legambiente's proposals to government, regions and local administrations.We range from the strengthening of public transport to the transition towards electric vehicles, through new incentives for sharing mobility and a «great plan of energy requalification» public and private construction.«Health is a fundamental right that cannot be compromised – reports Ciafani -.We ask the Government, the Regions and the Municipalities to implement courageous actions to create cleaner and safer cities."

The European targets

In addition to representing great damage to the public health, delays in actions to combat air pollution risk clashing with the objectives set byEuropean Union.Exceeding the limits of nitrogen dioxide in the air has already been worth a Lombardy Region various infringement procedures at the Court of Justice EU.Now, with the new air quality plan approved in 2021, Brussels has set new objectives to be achieved by 2030.And right now our country is not on the right track.In the Legambiente report, in fact, the 76% of cities monitored has recorded air pollution values ​​higher than the limits set by the EU as a target for 2030.«This means that Italian cities will have to work hard to adapt within the next seven years» specifies Ciafani.«Especially considering the pollution reduction trends recorded so far they are not encouraging».

Cover photo:EPA / MOURAD BALTI TOUATI | Smog in Milan (8 January 2020)