Milan has been over the legal smog limit for 85 days this year, Legambiente environmental watchdog group said Friday. The legal limit is 35 days a year of pollution with more than 50 micrograms per cubic metre of particulate matter (PM10).
Particulates are the deadliest form of air pollution due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and blood streams unfiltered, causing permanent DNA mutations, heart attacks, and premature death, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The World Health Organization has designated airborne particulates a Group 1 carcinogen. Turin is the next worst offender with 73 days over the limit followed by Naples with 59 and Rome with 49 days, Legambiente said.
In Turin, forecasters said PM10 of over 100 micrograms per cubic metre are likely at the weekend, when stable, sunny weather will favour the persistence of smog.
It has not rained in the northern city since October and dust pollution levels have been over the legal limit for the past 20 days.
Turin authorities made public transport free for two days, December 10 and 11, in a bid to reduce smog.
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