In a study that has classified European cities from the cleanest to the most polluted, Cremona in Lombardy has placed next to last for the average levels of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, an indicator of pollution levels.
Only Poland fared worse in the study.
“Fine particulate matter is the air pollutant with the highest impact on health in terms of premature death and disease,” stated the EEA.
The World Health Organisation has set guidelines for long-term exposure to fine particulate matter to 10 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic metre of air.
Meanwhile, the European Union has set an annual limit for fine particulate matter of 25, under policies to deliver clean air in Europe.
The cities in Italy recorded as the cleanest for air pollution. Sassari is the cleanest in Italy and 14th in Europe. Source: EEA
According to the study, which monitored 323 cities in 2019 and 2020, some 127 – or around 40 percent – of the European cities surveyed were below World Health Organisation recommended limits.
To check the air pollution levels of where you live, this interactive table will allow you to compare your city with the rest of Europe.
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