Wall painting against air pollution
Graffiti that reduces particulate matter pollution in cities with and without environmental zones - that's unrealistic? That's exactly what the graffiti painted with special colours by street artist Alessandro Breveglieri do, because they can absorb pollutants and then release them back into the environment in a purified form. A small improvement for a city as smog-ridden as Milan, but one that offers potential for larger projects.
Among the Italian cities most affected by particulate matter (PM2.5) and smog, Milan is certainly one of them. According to the Italian environmental protection organisation "Legambiente", the metropolis is indeed at the top of the list of Italy's most polluted cities. For example, PM2.5 concentrations here are often 1.3 times the WHO annual guideline value, leaving politicians wondering what climate protection measures could still be introduced. With constant driving bans and environmental zones - as well as anti-smog measures when air quality declines - the Lombard metropolis has been trying to reduce air pollution for years.
Now an artist is thinking outside the box and trying to have a positive impact on the environment with his works. For his latest work "Cyberpunk Parrot", also known for its special properties as a "smog eater", street artist Alessandro Breveglieri has relied on an innovative technique. Using paints that are supposed to help clean the air around the mural, the graffiti was realised. "These are the latest generation paints. They absorb pollutants, clean them and return them clean to the environment" - explains Breveglieri.
Harsh words, symbol of a reality affected by climate change, can be read above the mural - "The future takes our breath away". But "art", Breveglieri continues, "can give us back that breath". While the air-purifying effect of the mural is limited, Breveglieri's artwork shows that even urban elements - which theoretically have no effect on pollutant formation and air quality in the city - can positively influence the climate and environment. Of course, the environmentally friendly paint applied could not solve the problem of air pollution on its own. However, its application can reduce pollution levels in a limited area - and, above all, raise discussion about and awareness of the climate crisis.
And who knows, maybe in the future it will be possible to use this air-purifying paint in large quantities and, for example, paint all the facades of an entire block with it alone. What may just make a small difference to general pollution levels could then become a big message for the environment. This would allow the air-purifying effect of the special paint to be put to better use and would give researchers the opportunity to study the real environmental potential of the technology.