Serious air pollution in Italy has prompted some severe measures in two cities. Rome and Milan have ordered no-car days this week as a means of fighting air pollution. Smog in those cities has been at unhealthy levels for several weeks primarily due to a lack of rain; rain normally washes particles of pollution out of the air.
Rome is also enacting limits on the number of hours per day that people can heat their homes. There have been several days of severe smog in Rome this winter.
One town near Naples is also banning the use of wood-burning pizza ovens until the air clears. Other towns will not allow the traditional New Year and Epiphany bonfires to be lit this year to keep additional smoke out of the air.
The bans on the use of cars will last six hours, with cars carrying even-numbered plates banned today and those with odd-numbered plates banned tomorrow. Authorities in Milan have banned cars for six hours per day from Monday to Wednesday this week. However, there are many exceptions to the bans, including emergency services and anyone driving to a wedding or funeral.
The air in Rome and Milan has been irritating peoples' eyes and throats. In addition to pollution from cars, smog in Rome is being blamed on the way Romans heat their homes. Thermostats must be set no higher than 64 degrees F and furnaces can be run only eight hours a day, except in schools and hospitals. The total daily hours that furnaces can run is being reduced from 12 to eight, except for schools and hospitals. But many Romans ignore the rules and leave their heat on all day.
Warm, dry weather is worsening the pollution. It has not rained in Rome for around 50 days with no end in sight to the clear weather.