Milano, with almost 1,4 million inhabitants, is the second metropolitan city in Italy and has always been afflicted by the problem of smog.
In recent days i pollution levels had reached worrying peaks, far exceeding the permitted thresholds. Certainly the stagnation of high pressure and the orographic conditions do not favor the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants and consequently the PM10 levels continue to rise.
In recent periods, pollution has increased more in the outskirts of cities, rather than in the central areas, with the consequent increase in deaths among residents, also considering the fact that the peripheral areas have less greenery, overlook the ring roads and are mainly inhabited from over65.
A recent investigation published in "Epidemiology & Prevention" and conducted by the Milan Health Protection Agency (Ats-Mi) recently reveals that nitrogen dioxide and fine particles have death rates per 100.000 inhabitants that can reach 60% in more in some areas of the Milanese suburbs than in the city center.
The solution according to the experts
According to experts, one solution could be that adopted by London which has decided to ban the circulation of the most polluting vehicles in the entire metropolitan area with the aim of having the best air quality in the world by 2050.
