{"id":13638,"date":"2026-05-07T09:39:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/13638\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T09:39:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:39:14","slug":"italys-pm2-5-pollution-crisis-highest-fine-dust-levels-in-europe-according-to-2026-eea-report-news-and-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/13638\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy&#8217;s PM2.5 Pollution Crisis: Highest Fine Dust Levels in Europe According to 2026 EEA Report &#8211; News and Statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 7, 2026\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>Italy, a country renowned for its cultural and culinary heritage, faces a severe environmental challenge with the highest local concentrations of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/store\/italy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">PM2.5<\/a> fine dust in Europe, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) Air Quality Status report. This dangerous particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, originating from sources such as road traffic, refineries, cement plants, fossil fuels, and wildfires.<\/p>\n<p>Between 2024 and 2025, the highest annual average PM2.5 levels were recorded in southern Italy. The towns of Ceglie Messapica and Torchiarolo registered concentrations of 117 and 113 micrograms per cubic metre (mg\/m\u00b3), respectively, far exceeding the European Union&#8217;s annual limit of 25 mg\/m\u00b3. Gianluigi De Gennaro, a chemistry and environmental impact professor at Bari University, explained that these spikes are primarily caused by biomass burning during winter, mainly from fireplaces. He added that pollution worsens due to the atmosphere&#8217;s reduced ability to disperse harmful particles in that area during that season, a result of a lower, denser planetary boundary layer.<\/p>\n<p>Northern Italy, the country&#8217;s main industrial zone, presents another concerning cluster, with many locations where annual particulate matter levels hover near the 25 mg\/m\u00b3 threshold. During the same 2024-2025 period, regions in eight EU and non-EU countries also exceeded the limit, including Poland, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, and even Denmark, where a site in Copenhagen recorded a striking 95 mg\/m\u00b3. Some of the highest concentrations in Europe were found in Sarajevo and North Macedonia&#8217;s industrial areas.<\/p>\n<p>The Balkans and Eastern Europe, encompassing Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, have the highest estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/app.indexbox.io\/indicators\/symbol\/mortality-rate-under-5-per-1-000-live-births-italy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">mortality rate per 100,000 people<\/a> linked to long-term PM2.5 exposure. Italy, with an estimated mortality level of 101, far exceeds similarly sized countries such as Spain (41), France (34), and Germany (37). The lowest rates all emerged in northern Europe: Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Norway. Overall, more than nine in ten Europeans are exposed to unsafe air pollution concentrations under stricter World Health Organization standards, which set the PM2.5 threshold at just 5 mg\/m\u00b3.<\/p>\n<p>PM2.5 is not the only dangerous pollutant. The EEA warns that air quality continues to improve, but in up to 20% of monitoring stations in Europe, pollution still exceeds current EU air quality standards. The agency also highlights PM10, another inhalable particulate matter, and ground-level ozone, formed by sunlight interacting with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from car exhaust and smokestacks, whose rate has more than doubled since 1900. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is another harmful substance, arising from cigarette smoke, charred food, and fossil fuel exhaust.<\/p>\n<p>Experts recommend prevention through simple habits. De Gennaro advises people in urban areas to avoid airing out their homes during peak traffic hours, suggesting they wait until after 9:00 am, and notes that an air purifier can partially help clean indoor air. EEA experts suggest using only certified burning stoves, avoiding fuel burning on winter days, and refraining from outdoor activities like running during periods of highest pollutant concentration. Staying informed through apps that provide real-time geolocalised data on pollution levels is also useful.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t1. INTRODUCTION<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tREPORT DESCRIPTION<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tRESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tDATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tGLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS<\/p>\n<p>\t\t2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">A Quick Overview of Market Performance<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tKEY FINDINGS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMARKET TRENDS <a class=\"px-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/licenses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition<\/a>PRO<\/p>\n<p>\t\t3. MARKET OVERVIEW<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tMARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tCONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMARKET FORECAST TO 2035<\/p>\n<p>\t\t4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tBEST-SELLING PRODUCTS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST TRADED PRODUCTS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT<\/p>\n<p>\t\t5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tLOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES<\/p>\n<p>\t\t6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tTOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP CONSUMING MARKETS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tUNSATURATED MARKETS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tTOP IMPORTING MARKETS<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMOST PROFITABLE MARKETS<\/p>\n<p>\t\t7. PRODUCTION<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tPRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tPRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t8. IMPORTS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Import Supplying Countries<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tIMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tIMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tIMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t9. EXPORTS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Destinations for Exports<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tEXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tEXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tEXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012\u20132025) AND FORECAST (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\t10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles<\/p>\n<p>                        11. COUNTRY PROFILES<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-secondary fs-6\">The Largest Markets And Their Profiles<\/p>\n<p>                        <a class=\"pe-2 fs-5 mb-2\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indexbox.io\/licenses\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition<\/a><br \/>\n                        PRO<\/p>\n<p>11.1<\/p>\n<p>United States<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.2<\/p>\n<p>China<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.3<\/p>\n<p>Japan<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.4<\/p>\n<p>Germany<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.5<\/p>\n<p>United Kingdom<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.6<\/p>\n<p>France<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.7<\/p>\n<p>Brazil<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.8<\/p>\n<p>Italy<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.9<\/p>\n<p>Russian Federation<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.10<\/p>\n<p>India<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.11<\/p>\n<p>Canada<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.12<\/p>\n<p>Australia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.13<\/p>\n<p>Republic of Korea<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.14<\/p>\n<p>Spain<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.15<\/p>\n<p>Mexico<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.16<\/p>\n<p>Indonesia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.17<\/p>\n<p>Netherlands<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.18<\/p>\n<p>Turkey<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.19<\/p>\n<p>Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.20<\/p>\n<p>Switzerland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.21<\/p>\n<p>Sweden<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.22<\/p>\n<p>Nigeria<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.23<\/p>\n<p>Poland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.24<\/p>\n<p>Belgium<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.25<\/p>\n<p>Argentina<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.26<\/p>\n<p>Norway<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.27<\/p>\n<p>Austria<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.28<\/p>\n<p>Thailand<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.29<\/p>\n<p>United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.30<\/p>\n<p>Colombia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.31<\/p>\n<p>Denmark<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.32<\/p>\n<p>South Africa<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.33<\/p>\n<p>Malaysia<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.34<\/p>\n<p>Israel<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.35<\/p>\n<p>Singapore<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.36<\/p>\n<p>Egypt<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.37<\/p>\n<p>Philippines<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.38<\/p>\n<p>Finland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.39<\/p>\n<p>Chile<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.40<\/p>\n<p>Ireland<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.41<\/p>\n<p>Pakistan<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.42<\/p>\n<p>Greece<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.43<\/p>\n<p>Portugal<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.44<\/p>\n<p>Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.45<\/p>\n<p>Algeria<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.46<\/p>\n<p>Czech Republic<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.47<\/p>\n<p>Qatar<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.48<\/p>\n<p>Peru<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.49<\/p>\n<p>Romania<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<\/p>\n<p>11.50<\/p>\n<p>Vietnam<\/p>\n<p>Market SizeProductionImportsExports<br \/>\n\t\tLIST OF TABLES<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tKey Findings In 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Value: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tPer Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022\u20132025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n<p>\t\tLIST OF FIGURES<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tMarket Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Value: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tConsumption, by Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Volume Forecast to 2035<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Value Forecast to 2035<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Size and Growth, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tAverage Per Capita Consumption, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports and Growth, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices and Growth, By Product<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction Volume and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tMarket Size and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tPer Capita Consumption<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports and Growth<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImport Prices<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, by Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tProduction, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tImport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tExport Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012\u20132025) and Forecast (2026\u20132035)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"May 7, 2026 Italy, a country renowned for its cultural and culinary heritage, faces a severe environmental challenge&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13639,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[10050,10051,10047,10046,10045,10044,5,10043,10052,10049,10048],"class_list":{"0":"post-13638","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-italy","8":"tag-air-pollution-mortality","9":"tag-biomass-burning","10":"tag-ceglie-messapica","11":"tag-eea-air-quality-status","12":"tag-european-environment-agency","13":"tag-fine-dust-pollution","14":"tag-italy","15":"tag-italy-pm2-5","16":"tag-northern-italy-air-quality","17":"tag-pm2-5-levels-europe","18":"tag-torchiarolo"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}