Air quality trends and health risks in Italy

Air quality monitoring in Italy shows varying regional trends and health risk assessments. In Frosinone, data from Arpa Lazio indicates improving air quality, with PM10 levels at the Frosinone Scalo and via Mazzini stations averaging 21 and 20 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively. These levels are lower than those recorded in Ceccano, Cassino, Rome, and coastal areas.

In contrast, Brescia has seen a sharp rise in ozone pollution, with the Villaggio Sereno station recording 58 exceedances of the reference limit in 2026, compared to 12 in 2025. Additionally, PM2.5 levels in Brescia exceeded World Health Organization guidelines on nine days during the summer.

On a broader scale, the European Environment Agency (EEA) released an updated ranking of 761 European cities. This new methodology evaluates air quality based on the mortality risk associated with long-term exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and tropospheric ozone. While air pollution remains a significant health risk across most European urban centers, two cities in Sardinia, Italy, were identified as having the best air quality in the region.