Pollution Problem

We've had a pollution problem lately. There have been warnings about spending time outside. The speed limit on the highway has been dropped down to 80 kph in hopes that the pollution levels will go down (but it hasn't worked). Today is the first day we've had rain since we got back from Christmas... hence the pollution post. The lack of rain has added to the problem, so wet weather is something people around here have wanted for a while. Hopefully, it washes away some of the gunk.

The haze has gotten so bad that you can't see the lake, much less the mountains across the lake. It just looks like one giant, grey void.

Here's what the weather was like when we got back from Christmas.













This was about a week ago.












And this is today.














It's weird to me that I've never heard of these issues living in the US. Obviously I was aware of pollution concerns, but we were never required to take steps to reduce it, meaning restricting the hours you can drive (Milan does that) or lower speed limits. People here tell me it's just the way the land is, the pollution gets trapped, and not a lot of rain intensifies that problem. But it's still confusing to me. This is the most beautiful place I've ever lived - mountains, lots of green space, lakes... seems healthy. Plus, not everybody drives in Europe. Public transportation is huge here, and lots of people just walk or ride bikes. I don't get it.

Either way, after today's rain, hopefully we'll see a different picture.