The air in Italian cities is still too polluted. This is confirmed by Legambiente’s latest report, Mal’Aria 2025, which highlights how Italy remains behind in protecting air quality [1]. Despite environmental policies and efforts to reduce emissions, levels of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) are still above safety limits.

In 2024, as many as 25 cities exceeded the limit of 35 days per year with PM10 concentrations above 50 µg/m³, the threshold set by European regulations. Leading the ranking is Frosinone, south of Rome, with 70 days over the limit, followed by Milan with 68, Turin with 55, Padua with 53, and Venice with 52.

Annual average values also remain well above the limits the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended. In 2023, Milan and Cremona recorded an average of 31 µg/m³ of PM2.5, while the maximum level recommended by the WHO is just 5 µg/m³ [2].

These six cities share common factors that impact air quality, including heavy vehicle traffic and industrial activities — both major sources of emissions — as well as geographic and meteorological conditions that hinder pollutant dispersion. However, this discrepancy from the recommended limits shows just how far Italy still is from ensuring air quality standards that truly protect public health [1].

In this regard, the European Union has recently revised the maximum annual average concentration limit for PM10. Starting in 2030 — just five years from now — it will be lowered to 20 µg/m³, exactly half of the current limit of 40 µg/m³. The WHO’s recommended limit is even stricter, at 15 µg/m³ [2].

The real challenge will be ensuring that more than just a few cities stay within this new threshold. If even Trento — a city with no major pollution issues and existing plans for sustainable mobility and renewable energy — recorded an annual average PM10 concentration of 29 µg/m³ in 2024, the road to improvement for many other cities will be even steeper.

To improve air quality and protect public health, Legambiente emphasizes the need to rethink traffic management in major cities, reducing the number of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Key solutions include expanding Low Emission Zones, promoting electric mobility, and transforming urban centers into “30 km/h cities”, where lower speed limits encourage safer and more sustainable mobility [1].

However, the fight against pollution is not just about transportation. Improving energy efficiency in buildings and modernizing heating systems are also crucial steps in reducing consumption and emissions.

Finally, environmental education and public awareness play a fundamental role. Policies and structural interventions alone are not enough—engaging citizens, raising awareness of the benefits of cleaner air, and promoting responsible behaviors at both individual and collective levels are essential [1].

Improving air quality is an urgent public health necessity. Italian cities are still far from meeting European and WHO standards, but change is possible. However, more decisive action is needed. Without an acceleration of environmental policies and greater public awareness, the transition to cleaner air risks moving too slowly.

This article is part of the project “Quiz Ambientali per un Trentino Più Verde!” carried out by Econtrovertia APS and sponsored by Fondazione Cassa Rurale di Trento (Notice of Approval of December 20, 2024).

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