In the last days of 2024 and the first of 2025, Campania has recorded a worrying increase in air pollution levels. The regional monitoring network of Arpa Campania has detected numerous exceedances of the daily threshold of PM10 fine particles, especially in the metropolitan area of Naples and Caserta.
On December 31 and January 1, in particular, almost all monitoring stations reported values well above the limits permitted by law.
The trend of PM10 concentrations, with evident peaks in the early hours of the new year, clearly indicates the impact of the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks on air quality. Fireworks, in fact, release a large amount of fine dust into the atmosphere which, combined with the weather conditions favorable to their dispersion, have contributed to creating an environmental emergency.
"The New Year's Eve fireworks, together with the anticyclone that has enveloped the region, have created the perfect conditions for an accumulation of pollutants in the air. The consequences on health, especially for the most fragile people such as the elderly and children, can be very serious", ARPA Campania reports.
In fact, PM10 fine dust can penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract and cause respiratory problems, eye irritation and, in the long term, increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
The new cold anticyclone arriving is favoring the dispersion
Fortunately, theanticyclone that caused the stagnation of pollutants is gradually decreasing, favoring a faster dispersion of fine dust. However, this episode should make us reflect on the environmental consequences of our behaviors and on the need to find more sustainable alternatives to the traditional New Year's celebrations.
It is essential that institutions, citizens and businesses work together to reduce air pollution and protect public health. Reducing the use of New Year's Eve firecrackers, promoting sustainable mobility initiatives and investing in renewable energy are just some of the examples of concrete actions that we can implement.
For further information and detailed data, please refer to the ARPA Campania air quality bulletin available at: https://www.arpacampania.it/web/guest/bollettini
Article published on 2 January 2025 - 17:24
It is sad to see that every year the same thing happens with pollution that increases in a worrying way. The firecrackers should be reduced, but it seems that there is never an agreement between people to change the traditions.