The Matthew at JCU Articles, In Photos

You Can See and Breathe the Pollution

In Photos

By Caroline Zollinger / Photoreporter | Edited by Victoria Vega

Is that fog or smog? Many Romans check the air quality index regularly to know what to expect before taking a breath outside, but sometimes the quality is visible just by looking out the window. 

Rome: Jan. 27, 2024. A domestic heating exhaust pipe pumps chemicals into the air in Trastevere.
Rome: Jan. 28, 2024. The poor air quality is visible in the sky above Viale di Trastevere.  

 According to IQ Air, a Swiss company that measures air quality, the main sources of air pollution in Rome are vehicle traffic and domestic heating. 

Rome. Feb. 6, 2024 – There is more visibility and less pollution in the sky on Viale di Trastevere.

The air quality is often worse when it has not rained, making the air stagnant. When it is rainy and windy, air quality improves because some of the pollution is swept away. 

Rome: March 25, 2024. Scaffolding hangs on one side of the Corte Suprema di Cassazione for the annual cleaning due to the carbon monoxide collecting on the building.

Study abroad student Tatum Imbert, 20, speaks to Rome’s noticeable poor air quality.

Rome: Feb. 17, 2024. Carbon monoxide stains the Monument of Victor Emmanuel II  due to the air pollution and traffic from surrounding areas.

 “Especially on our balcony, you can really see the smog outside,” she said.

Rome: March 15, 2024. Carbon monoxide staining the once-white marble of Victorio Emmanuel II Monument.

An air pollution assessment performed in 2016 by Dr. Gabriele Battista showed air pollution can be reduced by the number of the most polluting cars with government regulation.

Rome: March 20, 2024 – An exhaust pipe on the roof of a building in Trastevere forms a cloud of chemicals in the clear sky.

The streets of Rome are full of automobile traffic, and many of the vehicles are fueled by diesel, which contributes to the damaged air quality of Rome. 

Rome: Feb. 11, 2024 – Heavy traffic due to construction on Ponte Garibaldi contributes to pollution in Rome. 

The assessment also found that households should replace their current heating systems to reduce the amount of chemicals in Rome’s air. Domestic heating should use condensing boilers rather than traditional boilers to minimize pollution and increase efficiency for heating a building. 

Rome: April 7, 2024. Cars and bikes share the same lane on Viale di Trastevere.

Over time, low-quality air has tainted buildings and historical monuments in Rome, from clean white stone to dusty black structures. 

Rome. April 7, 2024. Trash litters the ground after the weekly Sunday market in Trastevere. 

Pollution not only affects the buildings but also the people. Government regulations for air quality control are a public health matter because inhaling pollution risks a person’s health. 

Rome: Feb. 14, 2024. A man attempts to cross the street during heavy traffic at  Ponte Sisto.

An article published by the Guardian reported that Europe is in a public health crisis due to poor air quality, “Revealed: Almost everyone in Europe is breathing toxic air.” 

Rome: March 15, 2024. The traffic piles up next to the large construction site at Piazza Venezia worsening the air quality in Rome.

Studies have shown that air pollution is responsible for more than 1 million stillbirths a year, and young people may already have toxic air pollution in their hearts. Government regulations for three domestic heating and car fuel could potentially lessen the toxic chemicals in the air and improve the health of Romans.