February 26, 2008 - 12:12 PM
Fine-particle pollution worries authorities
The authorities in Ticino have imposed a speed restriction on the motorway linking southern Switzerland with Italy following a rise in fine-particle pollution.
The 80km speed limit was introduced on Monday on the stretch between Chiasso and Taverne after pollution levels exceeded permitted levels.
The authorities called on the local population to avoid using cars and to lower the temperature in apartments.
The situation in Ticino is not expected to improve within the next few days owing to the stable weather conditions.
On Tuesday a government advisory committee called for further measures to tackle air pollution, saying that existing means were not adequate to curb fine-particle levels that were consistently too high.
The air hygiene commission called on the cabinet and cantons to urgently act to implement a range of measures aimed at reducing consumption of heating oil and petrol and diesel.
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I don't know why people think that reducing the speed limit to 80 kph will reduce pollution. Most car engines operate at maximum fuel burn efficiency somewhere between 2000 and 3000 rpm. At 80 kph most cars have an engine working at well below 2000 rpm which actually increases fuel consumption because the fuel isn't being burnt so efficiently and therefore pollution increases. Until the authorities become realistic and pragmatic there will be no reduction of pollution in this beautiful country.