The cloud of smoke caused by the fire in a waste depot near Pomezia, about twenty kilometers south of Rome, which started on Friday 5 May, is spreading towards the south of Rome, after forcing the inhabitants of Pomezia to remain closed in house with the windows closed or going out with masks over the mouth due to the strong smell, reminiscent of burnt tyres. In the plant that burned down, the Eco X, along the Via Pontina, bales of plastic and paper were kept.
The regional agency for environmental protection (ARPA) of Lazio has analyzed some air samples in some municipalities close to the fire, Ciampino and Albano Laziale, and others collected at the environmental monitoring stations of Cinecittà and Fermi in Rome: for now, no the warning levels in the concentration of pollutants in the air have been exceeded, therefore there are no health risks. The advice of the authorities is to keep the windows closed and the closure of the schools, as a precaution. Soon ARPA will also analyze the soil to understand if there will be any risks for crops, and the air of Pomezia to establish the concentration of dioxins. However, the cloud is causing concern and alarm throughout the Roman coast, even towards the north up to Santa Marinella, from where it was visible.
