Chapter 4.1 - Correlation between atmospheric pollution and contagion intensity in Italy and Lombardy

Abstract

The chapter addresses the issue of atmospheric pollution by carrying out a detailed mapping of the Lombardy region, with reference both to a national and a European scale. The aim is to use reflexive cartography to detect potential correlations between levels of environmental pollution and the localized severity of contagion spread. Analysis is based on diffusion levels for major atmospheric pollutants, nitrogen dioxide and atmospheric particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ), as impacting agents on the health of inhabitants which contribute to shape aspects of territorial fragility. With an eye both on the European and the Italian scenarios, research results for the Italian region of Lombardy and particularly the province of Bergamo indicate multiscale correspondence between atmospheric pollution and the territorial spread of contagion, which calls for further investigation. This is pursued by charting atmospheric pollutants in the province of Bergamo as a case study, with a view to identifying critical nodes within territorial setups that may correlate with the presence of “unique” production sites.