The study underscores the pivotal role of agricultural activities and livestock farming in exacerbating air pollution, urging policymakers to integrate these sectors into broader environmental conservation strategies.
In the wake of a pollution alarm sounding in Northern Italy, the spotlight turns to the Lombardy region, where air quality concerns are among the most pressing in Europe. Shedding light on this issue, a recent study titled “Exploring the Impact of Livestock on Air Quality: A Deep Dive into Ammonia and Particulate Matter in Lombardy” underscores the significant role of agricultural activities and livestock emissions in exacerbating atmospheric pollution, a factor often overshadowed in public discourse.
Published in the esteemed journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review, the study emerges from collaborative efforts within the framework of the INHALE project (Impact on Human Health of Agriculture and Livestock Emissions).
Spearheaded by Università Bocconi and conducted in partnership with the CMCC Foundation and Legambiente Lombardia, the research offers insights into the relationship between farming practices and air pollution levels in Lombardy, emphasizing the necessity for integrated policy measures in the agricultural sector.
Lead author Jacopo Lunghi, affiliated with both Bocconi University and CMCC, underscores the urgency of investigating the sources of air pollution plaguing the Po Valley, a region notorious for its poor air quality. Lunghi asserts, “Understanding the sources of such unhealthy air is vital to decrease pollution and increase the well-being of individuals through effective policy action.”
Central to the study’s findings is the substantial contribution of ammonia (NH3) emissions from agricultural activities, particularly livestock farming, to the heightened concentrations of particulate matter in the Po Valley. Livestock management practices, including manure handling and fertilizer usage, emerge as primary sources of ammonia release, exacerbating air pollution and posing health risks to the local population.
The research elucidates that ammonia serves as a precursor in the formation of secondary particulate matter, amplifying the inorganic composition of PM2.5. Consequently, air pollution stemming from livestock farming correlates with respiratory ailments and severe pulmonary conditions among residents.
Quantifying the impact, the study reveals that a mere increase of 1,000 units in livestock numbers corresponds to a daily rise in ammonia and particulate matter concentrations in Lombardy, signifying the urgency of addressing this issue. Moreover, bovine and swine farming operations are implicated in up to 25% of local pollution exposure, highlighting the significant environmental footprint of intensive livestock farming practices.
A novel aspect of the study lies in its application of causal inference methods, establishing a crucial link between changes in livestock levels and their repercussions on human health due to air pollution. Lara Aleluia Reis, a researcher at CMCC, emphasizes the imperative of including agriculture, particularly the livestock sector, in comprehensive air pollution mitigation strategies, given the region’s unique geographical and demographic challenges.
Maurizio Malpede, from the University of Verona, underscores the potential for understanding the environmental impacts of intensive livestock farming to drive sustainable practices. He asserts, “Optimizing resource use and reducing waste can ensure more efficient and sustainable production systems, while also mitigating public health risks.”
In essence, the study underscores the pivotal role of agricultural activities and livestock farming in exacerbating air pollution, urging policymakers to integrate these sectors into broader environmental conservation strategies. By fostering sustainable farming practices and raising awareness among consumers, the findings offer a pathway towards mitigating air pollution and safeguarding public health in regions grappling with environmental challenges.