Urban air quality and meteorology on opposite sides of the Alps: The Lyon and Torino case studies

Abstract

Several European urban areas are characterised by low air quality due to high local emission per unit surface. A further key feature can be related to the pollutant load due to adverse local meteo-climatic conditions. This study aims to compare the two urban agglomerations of Torino and Lyon – located on opposite sides of the Alps and characterised by similar size and population – to enlighten the role of meteorology on local pollutant dispersion. The assessment of air quality has been developed by monitoring network data, emissions analysis and the SIRANE urban dispersion model. Although the two agglomerations have similar NOX and PM10 emissions, the simulation results show higher ground level concentrations in Torino. To quantify the effect of meteorology on this excess of concentrations, we run simulations in Torino imposing the meteorological conditions of Lyon and vice versa. This implies an overall reduction of ground level concentrations in the city centre of Torino between 20% and 40% (analogously, Lyon concentrations increase by a similar amount). These results show the peculiar difficulties faced by Po valley's cities in maintaining pollution levels below regulatory thresholds and highlight the need of systemic policies and site-specific mitigation to reduce air pollution health risks.