Abstract
Heavy metals can cause adverse effects to humans, animals and ecosystems due to their bioavailability and toxicity in various environmental compartments. In the last decades, many policy strategies and measures have been taken at global, regional and local level in relation to heavy metals, due to their adverse effects and ability to be transported over long distances. Several EU measures have been adopted in order to control the pollution from heavy metals in the main sectors. This paper will provide an overview of trends of emissions, air concentrations and atmospheric depositions of heavy metals in Italy and of the main relevant EU legislation and its goals (Directives on paints, batteries, industrial emissions, etc.) together with policies adopted at Italian level.
Highlights
According to the international scientific literature, heavy metals can cause adverse effects to humans, animals and ecosystems due to their bioavailability and toxicity in various environmental compartments
Many policy strategies and measures have been taken at global, regional and local level in relation to heavy metals, due to their adverse effects and ability to be transported over long distances
This paper will provide an overview of trends of emissions, air concentrations and atmospheric depositions of heavy metals in Italy and of the main relevant EU legislation and its goals (Directives on paints, batteries, industrial emissions, etc.) together with policies adopted at Italian level
Summary
According to the international scientific literature, heavy metals can cause adverse effects to humans, animals and ecosystems due to their bioavailability and toxicity in various environmental compartments. The first international legally binding instrument to deal with problems of air pollution on a broad regional basis is represented by the 1979 Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), which has been extended by eight specific protocols. Following this treaty, further measures have been adopted both at regional level, for example the European Union strategies on air quality, mercury and waste treatment, and at global level, for example the discussion in progress under the UNEP umbrella dealing with lead and cadmium pollution
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