Live near the center citizen has always had great advantages. Schools, services, work and more safety. And, according to a new study, too cleaner air. Living in the suburbs, according to researchMilan Health Protection Agency (ATS-MI) on the average concentration levels of pollutants, also involves breathing more smog.
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The long-term effects of smog on the population
There are numerous studies that highlight the increasingly clear link between smog e:
tumors; cardiovascular diseases; asthma; depression; alteration of development in the child even in the fetal phase.
The map of urban pollution
The higher the concentration of pollution, the greater the chance of getting sick. The gap between the center and the periphery is seen in the most dislocated neighbourhoods a considerable increase in death rates among residents, exceeding 60% in peripheral areas. The alarm was raised at Milanoduring the conference RespiraMi: Recent Advances on Air Pollution and Health 2024, co-organized by the Menarini Foundation in collaboration with the Irccs Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, and by Imperial College London.
In the suburbs: smog and unfavorable socio-economic conditions
This trend is favored by the mix of smog and more unfavorable socio-economic conditions. In fact, these are areas with less urban greenery and a lot of traffic. Added to this are the economic conditions they induce worse lifestyles, such as obesity, smoking, less physical activity, which produce a multiplier effect on mortality from pollution. Furthermore, there are a greater number of people in these areas over 65, more fragile and more exposed to the effects of smog.
The neighborhoods most exposed to nitrogen dioxide
To reach these conclusions was conducted an analysis in Milanthen published in the magazine Epidemiology&Prevention. Among the neighborhoods most at risk for exposure to nitrogen dioxidehave been reported Fourth Oggiaro with 158 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants e Gallaratese with 170 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to values around 100 in the city centre.
Smog and suburbs: high concentrations of PM2.5 with repercussions on the lungs and heart
Other areas such as Mecenate, Lorenteggio and Bande Nere also had the red sticker. A high concentration of PM2.5, a pollutant that can cause, has been revealed in these neighborhoods inflammation of the respiratory tract, such as asthma attacks, or affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Death rates exceed 200 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the center they stand at around 130 per 100,000 inhabitants.
PM10: irritation of the respiratory tract, asthma and bronchitis
Finally, regarding the PM10those who pay the highest price are, for example, the area of Niguarda, Bande Nere and Gallaratese to the west and Buenos Aires in the center. 4% of deaths from natural causes are attributed to this pollutant (50 per 100 thousand inhabitants). The particles PM10, if inhaled, they can cause bronchospasms, coughing, breathing difficulties and worsening of pre-existing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
The English and French model as a solution to smog in the suburbs
How then to solve the problem? There could be a solution extend the “protections” guaranteed to the city center also to the suburbs. Last summer, the British capital decided to extend the ban on the circulation of the most polluting vehicles to the entire metropolitan area. Another good example comes from Paris which is experimenting with “15 minute city”: in the Ville Lumière school, shops, work and leisure can be reached in 15 minutes on foot or by bicycle.
TL zones work
Limited traffic zones play an important role in reducing pollutants and deleterious effects on health: this is demonstrated by a review published in the journal Lancet Public Health from Imperial College London. The analysis reviewed 16 studies conducted on ZTLs in Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, which demonstrated a clear reduction in problems affecting the cardiovascular system, with fewer cases of hypertension, hospitalizations, deaths from heart attacks and strokes.
In particular, a German study found a 2-3% drop in heart problems and a 7-12% drop in strokes, with benefits (especially for the elderly) and a saving of 4.4 billion euros for healthcare. Examples and research which, we hope, Italy can also take into consideration, primarily the city of Milan.
