Pollutants on the decline in Italy

According to the Report Air quality in 2024, edited by the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA), which describes the air quality in Italy in the year just ended, the decreasing trend of pollutants in the last decade continues. The data, collected from over 600 monitoring stations nationwide, indicates that levels of fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) remain within normal parameters, as do the annual values for PM10. However, daily values continue to exceed the acceptable limits. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations remain within the prescribed limits and are showing a consistent downward trend at almost all monitoring stations (98%). This positive trend is largely attributed to the implementation of measures aimed at reducing air pollution in various industrialised countries, particularly Italy and the rest of Europe. Key measures adopted include enhancing combustion processes and utilising smoke abatement technologies in energy production and industry, along with transitioning from coal to natural gas as the primary fuel. The new European Directive, recently approved and due to come into force in 2030, further strengthens regulatory measures by requiring compliance with much more stringent levels regarding emissions of climate-altering gases.