Jessika Ziglar/03-07-08 4:50pm/Pollution
Proof that Milan's new Ecopass congestion charge, aimed at lowering air pollution, is not working is evident in the city's continuing exceedingly toxic air. Since the introduction of the "ecopass" in January, the city's air has exceeded the European Union's standard for what is toxic 36 out of 60 days. Sometimes by as much as 4 times the safe levels.
The small particles emitted by automotive exhaust can lead to cancer and breathing problems. The air pollution is having a severe affect on infant and children's mortality rates in Milan. One in four children in the area were affected so much by the poor air that they had to be admitted to emergency centers. Specialists are calling for a more serious solution to Milan's pollution, such as discouraging the use of diesel vehicles and encouraging the use of public transportation.
Milan seems to be suffering from what most polluted areas face- serious issues, and a lack of serious solutions. The ecopass is pretty much pointless, with fees so low that it will do little to deter people from driving around the city polluting as they go.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/03/07/eamilan107.xml
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