Air Quality in 2024

Reduction trend for PM2.5 particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, Ozone in summer and daily PM10 always critical. New limits in the EU Directive

The slow and continuous improvement of air quality in Italy continues in 2024, even if critical issues remain in some areas of the country. Among the positive developments, the levels of fine atmospheric particulate matter PM2.5 are within the norm (25 micrograms per cubic meter is the permitted limit value). The annual levels for PM10 continue to be respected (average concentration of 40 micrograms per cubic meter), while daily values ​​continue to be exceeded. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations are within the limits and continuously decreasing in almost all monitoring stations (98%). The ozone situation, on the other hand, is negative: only 16% of the stations have respected the long-term objective for the protection of human health.

The annual report of the National System for Environmental Protection provides the national picture of air quality in the past year. A summary report prepared every year by SNPA experts (ISPRA and the environmental agencies of the Regions and autonomous Provinces), which summarizes the data collected by over 600 monitoring stations present throughout the country.

Although there has been a general trend towards improvement for some years, the new European Directive recently approved and which will come into force in 2030 provides for much more stringent levels than the current ones even in areas where the legal limits are currently respected. It is necessary to implement short-medium term actions that further reduce emissions.