Last Thursday, on the 6th of March, three engineers visited our school and presented us the work of ARPA. The “Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale” (ARPA) is the Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment in Italy. Each region in Italy has its own centre.

The main goal of ARPA is the preservation of the environment. In order to achieve this goal, the organization carries out various measurements which include

• Monitoring  the quality of the air, the surface and ground waters
• Checking the conditions of the soil
• Controlling environmental radioactivity
• Monitoring factories (e.g. incinerators)

Since the weather has a great influence on air pollution, ARPA furthermore compiles weather forecasts. In the region of Piedmont, ARPA has numerous stations of different kinds. Some of the stations are fixed, while others are mobile caravans. Each station has many instruments which collect data and submit it to the main centre.

Moreover, the engineers showed us a presentation about air quality in Europe and interestingly enough we realized that our area, together with the capital cities of other European countries, is one of the most polluted. Air pollution in the Piedmont is reinforced by the Alps which surround us and thereby protect us from winds. But at the same time a dangerous greenhouse effect is created.

By showing us very impressive pictures about the effects of pollution on humans, monuments as well as the environment, many of us were struck by the far-reaching consequences.

Finally, we also had a discussion about environmental issues that are of particular importance for us: we talked about TAV (Treno Alta Velocità) which is supposed to be a high-speed railway throughout the country which improves travel times between Italy's major cities. However, the project has to face a lot of resistance and protests from the local population who fears the release of asbestos (which is a cancerogen mineral likely found inside mountains).

Another big problem that causes many demonstrations is the incinerator in Turin. In fact, people who live close to it are afraid of the toxic fumes that are produced during the combustion of waste. But there is also another view on it: not only does the incinerator create a lot of jobs but it also helps to get rid of the huge amounts of waste humans produce. Since we know now that ARPA monitors the air in the area around the incinerator, we feel more secure.

We would like to thank ARPA for their great and important work, for their engagement in protecting our health and for the very interesting presentation in our school. We are looking forward to visiting ARPA next week.

If you are interested in the work of ARPA visit: http://www.arpa.piemonte.it/english-version/our-activities.

Matilde, Chiara, Beatrice, Carolina, Sara and Elisa