Correlazione tra inquinamento atmosferico da benzene e produzione di acciaio nella città di Taranto

The city of Taranto is characterized by the presence of various industrial activities with high environmental impact, including an integral cycle steel plant. A controversial issue that cause oppose reactions between environmentalists and representatives of institutions is linked to benzene pollution and, its correlation to steel production. For this purpose the concentration of benzene was detected through the control unit A.R.P.A. "Machiavelli", in Taranto, Puglia near the steelmaking industrial site, in the time frame from January 1st to June 30th of 2011 (year in which steel production is at its highest levels) and compared with levels found in the same time period but in the year 2018 to consider the effect of the reduction of production on the polluting load. The statistical assessment has been made using "polarplots" that carry out a wind-selective analysis. The results clearly show that as in 2018 the weak sources are linked to vehicular and harbor traffic, in 2011 the prevalence of the industrial site is clear both in terms of intensity and location.