During pollution peaks, this department informs residents and announces any traffic restriction measures decided on by the town hall. Air quality has distinctly improved over the past two years and these restrictions are becoming less frequent" (Energy Agency of Municipality, 2001). These are all local methods of measuring pollution.
Another means through which one can measure the level of CO2 in the air and which was used in Italy is with portable monitors which "measure ultrafine particles" in the air. An experiment done using these mechanisms found out that the level of pollutant particles in the room of a home nearby a thoroughfare is indeed worrisome. More precisely, "Tommaso Abbate, 16, found that the pollution levels at night in his living room were "really high" - 200 micrograms per cubic meter at one point" (Rosenthal, 2007) a result which on the long run can seriously affect the health of the population and of the people living near busy traffic points.
Effects on the population
Air pollution is one of the most difficult stresses for the human health because one cannot escape its effects. Although pollution in general is a negative aspect of the globalization and of the way in which our society has evolved, air pollution is an aspect which affects every human individual regardless of his residence because it affects the actual air we breathe. Pollution is affecting in the end our health through different sicknesses.
One of the most important effects of air pollution is related to respiratory problems. More precisely, "Carbon monoxide and photochemical pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, ozone) appear to be determinants of acute respiratory conditions in Rome. Since carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are good indicators of combustion products from traffic related sources, the detected effect may be due to unmeasured fine and ultrafine particles" (Fusco et al., 2001). These results were obvious from the attempts to monitor the cases of respiratory diseases in Rome for a certain period of time. It was concluded that in times of great pollution when the weather conditions are not favorable, the level of admissions with respiratory diseases is higher.
The most concerning aspect of the research conducted in this area is represented though by the studies made in North Italy which suggest that people can have serious heart problems as a result of pollution. In this sense, in Lombardy for instance "air pollution has been associated with increased short- and long-term morbidity and mortality from heart diseases and strokes and that hypercoagulability and enhanced thrombosis have been indicated as one mechanistic pathway that mediates such effects" (Hughes, 2008). From this point-of-view, it is clear that pollution affects us directly and indirectly and all aspects of our health. Moreover, it touches on one particular area of our health and manages to interfere with the entire immune system. Aside from the human disaster pollution causes, its effects have repercussions for the future generations as well taking into account the fact that pollution can also affect the reproduction system in both sexes.
Measures taken by the authorities
One of the first measures to be taken is the information of the population because there is a constant need to have a society which is informed about the perils of pollution. Taking into account the fact that one important source of pollution in Italy is
In this sense, the "Campaign to monitor vehicle emissions: "Bollino blu" as well as "a program of financial incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (scooters, mopeds), in 2000" created a greater sense of awareness among the population (Energy Agency of Municipality of Naples, 2001).
There are also legislative initiatives that must be taken into account. The European Union as well as the World Health Organization proposed certain guidelines for emission reduction for states which have a high level of pollution. Still, there are certain criteria which must be met concerning Italy. In this sense, "the European Union proposed a target two years ago for ultrafine particles, those smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. The EU proposal for such particles, 25 micrograms per cubic meter, is well above the WHO recommendation of 10 or the U.S. standard of 15" (Rosenthal, 2007). There are also several critics concerning these standards as many specialists view them as too high and as easy to overrule by the national states. Nonetheless, it is important to bear in mind the fact that in the end these standards are created in order to ensure that better air can be available for the population.
Overall, it can be said that pollution represents indeed a major issue for the Italian state and action must be taken in order to reduce the quantity of polluting agents because in time this will affect the health of the population.
References
Colls, Jeremy. Air Pollution. Spon Press: New York, 2002.
Corrosion in Italy. N.d. 17 June 2008. http://corrosion-doctors.org/Arts/AtmCorros/mapItaly.htm
Energy Agency of Municipality of Naples. Quality of air Campaigns to set an example. 2001. 17 June 2008. http://www.energie-cites.eu/db/napoli_126_en.pdf
Fusco, D et al. Air pollution and hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in Rome, Italy. 2001. 17 June 2008, http://www.erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/full/17/6/1143
Gerdol, R. et al. "Monitoring of heavy metal deposition in Northern Italy by moss analysis." N.d. 17 June 2008. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VB5-3YMFGYP-9&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=460baa8cd4dd49747ccf819433173f7d
Grosso, E. & Frangipane, E. Air Pollution Research in Italy. N.d. 17 June 2008. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1898150&blobtype=pdf
Hughes, S. "Air pollution increases DVT risk." Heart Wire. 2008. 17 June 2008, http://www.theheart.org/article/864867.do
Minguzzi, E. et al. "Interannual variability of air pollution in Northern Italy." Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e l'Ambiente dell'Emilia Romagna. N.d. 17 June 2008. http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EMS2007/00491/EMS2007-a-00491.pdf?PHPSESSID=36018311721a325e65f2d50bca02e501
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. "Made in Italy: Fashion, food, Fiat, pollution." The International Herald Tribune. June 11, 2007. 17 June 2008. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/11/europe/pollute.php
At the time, the industry sought to examine both oil pollution in general and ocean dumping as well as land-based sources of ocean pollution. According to Wang, "More significant was the rapid technological development in the design of large-sized oil tankers which required constant rule changes. By 1973 it was evident that the 1954 convention provisions were inadequate or outdated, and by then the likelihood of the 1954 convention
grants would also be offered under revitalization measures and for the support of local enterprises either small or medium, and improve the company's access to finances and to credit, giving direct aid to certain investments, etc. (Structural Funds) Cohesion Funds are those granted to those states that are lagging behind in terms of economic development concerning areas like transport and the environment so that their chances of integration into
Significance of the Study This study is significant because it sheds light on a very important contributor to local and international trade. Trade fairs have a long history in providing a meeting place for buyers and sellers. They are an important channel of communication for B2B buyers and sellers. This is a significant area for study because there are limited channels of communication between B2B buyers and sellers. The previous sections
S. domestic carriers are at period in the industry's history when these factors are already beleaguered by downturns in the global economy, increasing competition from international carriers, and the aforementioned high costs of energy. Chapter 2: The Impact of Open Skies Agreements on Domestic and International Carriers Under an open skies agreement, both signatories to the agreement enjoy open access to international airline routes between the two countries as well as eliminating
Pharmaceutical industries have to operate in an environment that is highly competitive and subject to a wide variety of internal and external constraints. In recent times, there has been an increasing trend to reduce the cost of operation while competing with other companies that manufacture products that treat similar afflictions and ailments. The complexities in drug research and development and regulations have created an industry that is subject to intense
European Union a state, or what else distinguishes it from other International Organizations The primary question concerning global organizations as a medium of global governance relates towards the quantity and excellence of this governance within an era where we now have an overdeveloped global economy as well as an under-developed global polity (Ougaard and Higgott, 2002). There's a powerful disconnect amid governance, being an efficient and effective collective solution-seeking process
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now