Legambiente Report: Acerra is the most polluted city in Campania

In 2023, the cities of Campania experienced a "gray" period in terms of air pollution, with some lights but many shadows.

According to Legambiente's recent report "Mal Aria di città 2024," part of the Clean Cities Campaign, the fight against smog continues to be an uphill battle. The report examined 2023 data for cities in Campania, highlighting levels of fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), using information from ARPAC monitoring stations.

Of the 23 cities monitored, seven did not meet the 10-day PM35 limit, with a daily average concentration below 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m89). Furthermore, 10% of cities exceeded the annual PM2030 limits set for 2.5. The situation is even more critical for PM95, where 2030% of cities showed annual average concentrations above the XNUMX targets.

In detail, in 2023 seven cities in Campania exceeded the limit of 35 days of PM10, with Acerra leading the ranking with 89 days of exceedance, followed by San Vitaliano and Volla. As for PM2.5, only San Vitaliano exceeded the value required by law, while many other cities approached the limit. For NO2, only Teverola exceeded the regulatory value, but cities such as Naples, Acerra and Aversa came close.

Francesca Ferro, director of Legambiente Campania, emphasizes that despite the known actions and measures to reduce emissions, progress has been minimal. A radical change is needed with structural and integrated interventions that involve different sources of smog.

Looking ahead, 89% of Campania's cities would currently exceed the 2030 limits for PM10, while only three cities meet the WHO values. The most critical situations are in San Vitaliano, Acerra, and Volla.

To address this challenge, Legambiente proposes investments in public transport, a gradual ban on biomass boilers, monitoring of agricultural emissions and broader and more constant monitoring.

Legambiente has launched the traveling campaign "Città2030: Cities and the Challenge of Change" to promote sustainable mobility and advocate for safer and more liveable cities.

Pollution in Campania: worrying data and challenges for the future

PM2.5:

San Vitaliano exceeds the legal limit with an average of 26,7 µg/mXNUMX.
Volla, Casoria and Acerra are approaching the limit with 21 µg/mXNUMX.
Avellino and Benevento are the provincial capitals with the most critical situations (17 µg/mXNUMX).
NO2:

Teverola exceeds the limit of 40 µg/mXNUMX.
Naples approaches the limit with 38 µg/mXNUMX.
Acerra (29,8 µg/m28,3) and Aversa (XNUMX µg/mXNUMX) to be monitored.
Naples increases from 24 µg/m2021 in 38 to 2023 µg/mXNUMX in XNUMX.
Concerns and requests:

Reduction of pollutant concentrations too slow.
Emergency situations in some municipalities.
Need for structural and integrated measures.
Greater courage and determination on the part of municipal administrations.
Challenges for 2030:

89% of Campania cities exceed the new limits expected for 2030.
Only 3 cities meet the values ​​recommended by the WHO.
Reduction of up to 62% required for some cities.
Worse situation for PM2.5 (95% of cities above limits).
Naples and Teverola are the cities with the greatest reduction needed for NO2.
Conclusions:

Clean air in Campania's urban centers is still a mirage.
An urgent change of pace is needed to protect citizens' health and the environment.
Data and insights:

Legambiente Campania: https://legambiente.campania.it/
Bad Air Report 2023:
Actions to take:

Spread awareness of the problem.
Promote solutions for sustainable mobility.
Encourage the use of clean energy sources.
Pressure on administrations for concrete actions.
Together we can change things!