Airola – The most recent results of the atmospheric monitoring activated by ARPA Campania following the fire that broke out on August 31 in the industrial area of Airola indicate a clearly improving picture: in the latest measurements, the concentrations of dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are all below the reference value used by the scientific community (0,15 pg/Nm³ I-TEQ), with two measurements below the method's detection limit.
The data, published on the institutional portal arpacampania.it, update the time series started in the first 24 hours after the fire, when an overall value of 0,28 pg/Nm³ I‑TEQ was recorded near the site, approximately double the reference threshold.
Since then, subsequent campaigns have shown a progressive decrease in concentrations, until the latest results – highlighted in yellow in the online table – confirm the absence of critical signals in the monitored areas.
Arpa Campania reminds that activities related to the fire emergency are still ongoing and invites citizens, administrations, and the press to consult the institutional website for real-time updates, including bulletins released starting August 31. In addition to dioxins, other air pollutants (including NO₂, CO, SO₂, and ozone) have also been detected in recent days, without exceeding the hourly limits established by Legislative Decree 155/2010 for the applicable quantities.
What happened and how the monitoring proceeded
The fire affected a waste storage shed in the PIP area of Airola, triggering a column of smoke visible from a great distance and immediately activating civil protection and environmental procedures.
Arpa Campania deployed high-flow samplers in the direction of the smoke column and, in the following days, strengthened the network with additional measurement points in the municipalities of the Valle Caudina and surrounding areas (including Arienzo, Bucciano, and Rotondi), alongside a mobile laboratory for the hourly monitoring of various pollutants.
Initial data, released between September 2 and 3, had already recorded a return to within limits at peripheral stations and a marked decrease even near the site, despite the still partially active combustion phenomenon. Updates to September 7 consolidate this trend, with values "not detected" in two cases and still below the reference threshold at all stations.
What the numbers mean (in summary)
August 31–September 1: 0,28 pg/Nm³ I‑TEQ in Airola (above the reference 0,15).
Subsequent campaigns: decreasing values, all below 0,15 pg/Nm³; two measurements below the detection limit.
Other pollutants: no exceedances of hourly limits for NO₂, CO, SO₂ and ozone in the available data.
Arpa Campania specifies that the data are "relatively representative" until the combustion phenomenon is fully stabilized, which is why the monitoring network remains active and the bulletins are updated periodically. To view the complete table and the new data highlighted in yellow, please visit arpacampania.it, which also contains the Agency's press releases since August 31.
Details on atmospheric monitoring in Airola
Here's some practical information for residents regarding air quality monitoring in Airola.
- Official Website: For real-time updates, visit arpacampania.it.
- Types of pollutants monitored: In addition to dioxins, NO₂, CO, SO₂ and ozone were monitored.
- Reference thresholds: The reference value for dioxins is 0,15 pg/Nm³ I-TEQ.
- Current state: The latest measurements indicate values below the reference threshold.
- Current activities: Air monitoring and control operations are still active.
