PM10 values above the threshold for the fourth consecutive day: first-level measures are triggered in Lombardy. Only Cremona, Mantova and Sondrio are spared.
Data from Arpa Lombardia on PM10 concentrations — particulate matter present in the air with a diameter equal to or less than 10 micrometres — recorded on Monday 19 February an exceedance in nine of the region's provinces, for the fourth consecutive day, of the maximum permitted limits (50 milligrams per cubic metre as a daily average), thereby triggering the first-level measures, which come into force from the morning of today, 20 February. The Lombard provinces affected are Milan, Monza e Brianza, Como, Bergamo, Brescia, Mantova, Cremona, Lodi and Pavia (9 out of 12; only Varese, Lecco and Sondrio are spared — namely the mountain and foothill provinces).
Here you can find the official Arpa Lombardia readings
The first-level measures provide, first of all, for a ban on burning and on lighting open fires in all municipalities of the affected provinces: not everyone may be aware, but wood burning accounts for 29 per cent of air pollution in cities.
The main first-level measures, however, concern traffic restrictions: in municipalities with more than 30,000 inhabitants in the affected provinces, all Euro 0 and 1 vehicles of any fuel type and Euro 2, 3 and 4 diesel vehicles are banned from circulation between 7.30 am and 7.30 pm. Compared with those provided for under the permanent measures, the restrictions also apply on Saturdays and Sundays and also cover Euro 4 commercial diesel vehicles even if fitted with a particulate filter, as well as Euro 0 and 1 LPG and methane vehicles. Motor vehicles enrolled in MoVe-In, the maximum annual kilometre allowance scheme, are subject to the temporary circulation restrictions in the same way as other polluting vehicles.
Some restrictions will also apply to heating: it will be prohibited to maintain temperatures above 19 degrees Celsius in private homes and commercial premises, and to use wood-burning stoves for domestic heating (where an alternative system is available) of an emission class up to and including 3 stars.
Finally, restrictions also apply to agriculture: in all municipalities of the affected provinces, the spreading of livestock effluents, wastewater, digestate (the organic matrix with variable moisture content derived from the anaerobic treatment of organic waste and residues), fertilisers and sewage sludge is prohibited, except where immediate incorporation into the soil takes place.
Since the start of the year, Milan alone has already exceeded the daily PM10 limits 17 times. Despite this, Giorgio Maione, the Lombardy Region's Councillor for the Environment and Climate, declares himself optimistic when looking at annual data. "Measures to improve air quality in Lombardy are continuing," Maione states. "This year too," he continues, "we will invest 30 million euros in the renewal of heating systems and vehicles in circulation. Over five years, total investments linked to environmental sustainability in Lombardy amount to 19 billion euros."
"Over the past 20 years," Councillor Maione recalls, "the measures adopted by the Region, the investments made by businesses and the virtuous behaviour of citizens have led to a 39 per cent reduction in PM10 concentrations and a 45 per cent reduction in NO2 (nitrogen dioxide, ed.) concentrations. These are the systemic data against which environmental policies should be calibrated. In the meantime, in view of the weather conditions that cause pollutants to stagnate at ground level, we are activating the temporary measures provided for by the regulations."