Air Pollution's Deadly Toll In Italy

Air pollution is a significant issue in Italy, with many of its towns and cities, particularly in the north, suffering from high levels of smog and poor air quality. In 2019, Italy's average air pollution level was 61 US AQI, ranking it 59th out of 98 countries. The main sources of this pollution are road transport and traditional technologies, such as wood-burning fireplaces. The impact of air pollution on public health is severe, with the European Environment Agency revealing that exposure to carcinogenic particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone caused 76,200 deaths in Italy in a single year. This figure contributes to the estimated 4.2 million deaths worldwide due to air pollution annually, according to the World Health Organization.

Italy's air pollution death toll

Italy's air pollution problem has been well-documented, with many of its towns and cities, particularly in the north, suffering from high levels of pollution. The average level of air pollution in Italy was 61 US AQI in 2019, ranking it 59th out of 98 countries. The main sources of this pollution are road transport and traditional technologies, such as wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to air pollution causes 4.2 million deaths worldwide each year, with nearly 500,000 premature deaths in Europe alone.

In Italy, the human cost of air pollution is stark. Data from the European Environment Agency revealed that exposure to carcinogenic particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3) caused the deaths of 76,200 people in Italy in a single year. This figure represents the tragic toll of air pollution on public health, causing acute respiratory infections and other dangerous diseases.

Road transport is a significant contributor to Italy's air pollution. It accounts for 16% of total emissions of PM2.5, 66% of nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions, 18% of sulphur oxides (SO), and 20% of NMVOCs, which are primarily benzene. The high usage of diesel trucks for deliveries and private cars for urban travel exacerbates the problem, pumping dangerous pollutants into the air.

However, there is some positive news. During the coronavirus lockdown in 2020, Italy's air quality improved significantly. The European Environment Agency confirmed a large decrease in air pollutant concentrations, especially in major cities under lockdown. The European Space Agency (ESA) also observed a notable decline in NO2 emissions, particularly in northern Italy, through satellite imagery. This improvement demonstrates the potential for long-term environmental benefits if emissions are reduced.

While the lockdown provided a temporary respite, Italy's air pollution death toll underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Greener transportation methods, such as electric vehicles for deliveries and public transport, can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution and its devastating impact on public health.

Air pollution sources

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Italy, with exposure to carcinogenic particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone claiming the lives of 76,200 people in a single year. The country's air quality index (AQI) average for 2019 was 61 US AQI, ranking 59th out of 98 countries. While Italy has made strides in reducing highly polluting cars and total emissions, private urban road transport remains a significant contributor to air pollution.

Mobile Sources:

Mobile sources, such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains, are a primary contributor to air pollution. In Italy, road transport is responsible for a substantial portion of emissions, including 16% of PM2.5, 66% of nitrogen oxide, 18% of sulphur oxides, and 20% of NMVOCs. Older diesel engines, in particular, produce alarmingly high levels of fine particulate pollution. The use of diesel trucks for deliveries and the incentives for dieselisation contribute to the problem.

Stationary Sources:

Stationary sources, such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories, emit large amounts of pollution from a single location. These sources contribute to elevated ozone concentrations and release harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.

Area Sources:

Area sources include agricultural areas, cities, and wood-burning fireplaces or stoves. Residential wood burning, often used for home heating and recreational fires, has been increasing and contributes significantly to fine particle emissions. Traditional wood-burning technologies are responsible for the majority of particulate emissions in Italy.

Natural Sources:

While natural sources like wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes do not usually cause ongoing air pollution, they can sometimes be significant. For example, wildfires release particulate matter and organic compounds that contribute to air pollution.

Neighbourhood Sources:

Neighbourhood sources refer to common sources of air pollution that people are frequently exposed to, such as vehicles, local businesses, heating and cooling equipment, wood fires, and gas-powered yard and recreational equipment. While each source may not seem significant, they collectively contribute almost half of the air pollution in some regions.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, led to lockdowns across the globe. People were confined to their homes, with their lives restricted to four walls and computer screens. The lockdowns were considered the most effective tool to break the chain and minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

Italy, which recorded its first case of COVID-19 on February 20, 2020, was one of the first countries to impose a total lockdown on March 2, 2020, as cases surged. The lockdown measures in Italy included restrictions on industrial activities, transport, and social gatherings, resulting in significant improvements in air quality.

During the lockdown, pollution levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), and other harmful pollutants decreased in Italian cities such as Rome, Milan, and Turin. The level of NO2 in Milan, for example, dropped from 31.9 ± 1.9 μg m−3 during the partial lockdown to 22.1 ± 1.2 μg m−3 during the total lockdown.

The lockdown's impact on air quality provided an opportunity to study the relationship between air pollution and health. High levels of air pollution, particularly NO2, have been linked to an increased risk of lung and heart conditions, making individuals more susceptible to the deadly effects of COVID-19. The Po Valley in Italy, surrounded by mountains that trap pollution, had some of the highest COVID-19 death rates in the country.

While the lockdown temporarily reduced air pollution and provided some health benefits, it also disrupted waste management practices. Italy produced 10% less garbage during the lockdown due to decreased consumption, but waste generation increased, and recycling and management practices were hindered, leading to water and soil contamination.

The COVID-19 lockdowns in Italy, therefore, had a complex impact on air pollution and public health. While air quality improved due to reduced industrial activities and transportation, the long-term effects of reduced waste management and the correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 severity highlight the need for sustainable solutions beyond lockdowns.

Solutions to air pollution

According to the European Environment Agency, exposure to carcinogenic particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone resulted in 76,200 premature deaths in Italy in a single year. Air pollution is a critical issue, but there are numerous solutions that can effectively address this problem and improve air quality.

One key solution is the implementation of policies and laws that specifically target air pollution reduction. For instance, the Clean Air Act in the United States, enforced in 1970, has played a pivotal role in improving air quality by mandating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set stringent standards for hazardous air pollutants. This has led to a significant decline in the six major pollutants: particulates, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The Clean Air Act has also facilitated technological advancements, such as the deployment of clean technologies, which contribute to reducing emissions and controlling costs. Similarly, China has been actively addressing its air quality issues through the enactment of numerous laws and the implementation of a regularly updated five-year national plan to meet target reductions in air pollution.

At the community level, local governments, businesses, and residents can work together to promote sustainable practices and reduce air pollution. This can be achieved through initiatives such as the GreenStep Cities program, where local officials pass ordinances, create incentives, and educate residents on best practices for reducing pollution. Additionally, providing education, guidance, and incentives to businesses, cities, non-profits, and communities can empower them to address environmental challenges, including air quality improvement.

Transitioning to greener transportation options is another effective strategy to combat air pollution. This involves encouraging the use of electric vehicles, promoting public transportation, carpooling, and biking. Greener transportation options reduce vehicle emissions, which are a significant contributor to air pollution. Delivery companies, in particular, can contribute by investing in electric vehicles for their operations.

Lastly, integrating vegetation and "smog-eating" products in architecture can help mitigate air pollution. Trees, for instance, act as natural filters that absorb pollutants and carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Additionally, innovative products like the ground-level air purification system Air Pollution Abatement (APA), developed in Italy, can help control air quality in various spaces, including industrial sites, urban areas, and residential areas.

Air pollution in Milan

Milan, Italy's finance and fashion capital, has over a million inhabitants and is located in the densely populated Po Valley, which is home to almost a third of Italy's population. The Po Valley is one of the most polluted areas in Europe, and in 2020, Italy was found to be in breach of EU air directives by the EU Court of Justice. The Po Valley's geography, with the Alps and the Apennines enclosing it on three sides, means it has one of the lowest wind speeds in Europe, which traps air and contributes to the high levels of pollution.

Milan's air pollution levels have been ranked as the third worst globally, with the city's air quality index (AQI) at 17, and levels of PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) breaching World Health Organization guidelines. The primary sources of pollution in Milan are road transport and agricultural and industrial activity in the Po Valley. Private urban road transport, particularly diesel trucks and highly polluting cars, accounts for a significant portion of emissions, including 66% of nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions and 18% of sulphur oxide (SO) emissions. Traditional technologies, such as wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, also contribute to particulate emissions.

To address the issue of air pollution, Milan has introduced restrictions on heating homes, spreading sewage on crops, and the use of heavy motor vehicles during the daytime. The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) has emphasized the health risks associated with air pollution, stating that Italy has the highest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in Europe, with 76,200 to 80,000 deaths each year.

The city is taking steps to improve air quality, with the implementation of anti-pollution measures such as limits on daytime traffic in the most affected areas. However, the effectiveness of these measures is still to be determined, and Milan continues to grapple with the challenges of reducing air pollution and improving the health of its residents.

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