A new hospital study finds that the brutal smog produced by Milanese traffic is having a direct effect on infant mortality and other child illnesses.
In an attempt to quell the pressure by environmentalists (and run-of-the-mill parents) to rein in the toxic consequences of auto congestion, the city recently passed an "ecopass" pollution tax system. But since the law went into effect in January, Milan has failed to meet EU safety levels on 36 of 60 days. Apparently, the city's fashionistas-with whom Milan is most often associated-are even donning respiratory facemasks.
Perhaps the Vatican's latest decree (that pollution is a sin) will push its neighbor Italians to turn things around-you know, since sick kids and laws weren't able to do so.
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