Rome suffocates with nitrogen dioxide caused by traffic

According to Legambiente's research, in 1.156 locations across the city, average levels are four times higher than the limits set by the World Health Organization. In Europe, only Bucharest and Zagreb fare worse.

Rome 2 traffic

Rome is suffocating with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) caused by traffic. The report states: Clean Air for Rome According to Legambiente, which monitored all the city's neighborhoods between July and September 2025, there are 1.156 points in which nitrogen dioxide levels exceed 50 µg/m³, well above the limit set by the European Union (40 which will drop to 20 by 2030), and four times more than the ceiling set by the World Health Organization (10 µg/m³).

The cause of this gigantic problem, which translates into the risk, for many citizens, of wasting their health, is entirely linked to traffic. And Rome, in addition record hours that drivers consume in traffic jams in the city, also holds the European record for the presence in the air of nitrogen dioxide generated by means of transport: only Bucharest and Zagreb are in worse conditions than the Italian capital.

What could be done, now and immediately? Incentivize and improve the provision of public transport, strengthen all sharing services, discourage unnecessary use of cars. In short, a few "eco-friendly" Sundays, during which cars are not allowed to circulate, are not enough to escape the infernal circle of nitrogen dioxide and poisons the Romans.

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