Is the air quality good in Milan?
On October 22, 2025, at 7:50 AM PT, Milan, Italy, is experiencing poor air quality due to regional emissions and stagnant weather. The AQI is 127 and falls in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range, with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Milan ranked 9th among the most polluted cities in the world. Nearby cities like Bergamo were also in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range of air quality.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Milan.
While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, with PM2.5 at 46 µg/m³ (9.2 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³), it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Milan was 18.1 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 63, which falls into the moderate category and was 4 times the WHO annual guideline.
Milan, Italy ranked as the 9TH most polluted major city on Oct 22, 2025. Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Milan?
Hourly forecasts suggest that air quality is projected to improve gradually by Thursday morning, with AQI potentially dipping into the moderate range by evening as winds pick up and disperse pollutants, though it may fluctuate with humidity and temperature changes.
Hourly air quality forecast for Milan, Italy. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Milan, Italy on Oct 22, 2025. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Milan?
Several factors impact Milan’s current air quality. The city lies in the Po Valley, a bowl-like region where industrial emissions, heavy traffic, and agricultural operations accumulate in stagnant air.
Vehicular exhaust contributes significant nitrogen oxide, while heating systems and industrial plants inject fine particulates into the atmosphere. In this season, low winds and temperature inversions trap pollutants near ground level. Recent research also shows that new particle formation can be enhanced under low pollution but stagnant ventilation conditions, adding to the fine aerosol load.
Moreover, ammonia emissions from intensive livestock and farming in Lombardy contribute to secondary PM2.5 formation. Authorities have responded by restricting heavy vehicles, limiting heating and industrial activity in the region, and reinforcing traffic controls (1).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
