Pollution in Italian cities has not increased except in a few cases, but still in moderation. It is the first realization reached by researchers from the Kyoto Club and the Cnr, who presented the “MobilitAria” report. None, last year, witnessed an increase in nitrogen dioxide (N02) values. However, a decrease in PM10 particulate concentrations was recorded in Rome (-4%), Turin (-12%), Milan (-20%), Genoa (-5%), Bari (-4%), Bologna (- 16%), Cagliari (-4%) and Naples (-4%). Modest rise, however, for values in Messina (+10%), Palermo (+4%) and Florence (+4%).
In all cities, however, decreasing numbers for PM2.5, with peaks of success in Turin (-23%) and Milan (-17%). There was also a picture of the distance of the cities monitored from the sustainable mobility objectives. As for detachment to 2021 Reggio Calabria fares worse (with an average of the gap indicators of -104%) and Messina (-101%). Better, however, Milan and Florence on equal merit (-51%). For Kyoto Club and Cnr these numbers are a demonstration of how it is necessary to continue to favor proposals for “cities fit for people”, we read in the report, as in the case of Bologna 30. While “the MIT has marked an involution, which finds its peak in the counter-reform of the Highway Code, approved in the Chamber of Deputies at first reading”, he continues.
There are up to 2,755 premature deaths associated with pollution in Rome, 2,059 in Milan according to the “MobilitAria” report by Kyoto Club and Cnr. The estimate of the health impact is one of the novelties of this edition and demonstrates how pollution has an impact on people's lives, but also on the economy. The rates of avoidable premature deaths are highest – in fact – in Rome and Milan, while the lowest in Cagliari, where “only” 5 (± 0.04) deaths are attributable to long-term exposure to PM10, while 21, 88 (± 0.15) at Pm2.5 and 18.66 (± 0.14) at No2. Messina and Reggio Calabria record the worst percentage results compared to the WHO objectives for the reduction of premature deaths from exposure to nitrogen dioxide, with -298% and -273% respectively from the targets. Cagliari follows with -163%. On the contrary, Palermo and Bari show the best results, with -92% and -84%.
Kyoto Club and Cnr have also calculated the economic impact of the health impact, which varies from 17 million euros in Cagliari to 7 billion in Milan. As regards emissions from ships, also included for the first time in the document, in Rome, Civitavecchia and Venice the contribution of cruise ships to the emission of nitrogen oxides and, above all, sulfur oxides, is estimated to be greater than that of all local cars.