Little-Known Greenhouse Gas Linked to Health Harm Across Europe

A little-known greenhouse gas is being linked to health effects across large parts of Europe, according to reporting on the issue, with one Italian city said to be among the areas most affected.

People with asthma are considered to be at the greatest risk of serious complications linked to exposure, facing a heightened chance of severe symptoms compared with the general population.

Available reporting does not specify further details about the scale of exposure or the exact locations involved beyond noting the particular impact on the Italian city in question. It underscores broader concerns in Europe about how emissions beyond the most widely discussed greenhouse gases can carry direct consequences for public health, not only for the climate.

Health authorities and environmental agencies in affected regions may face pressure to clarify the sources of the gas and to assess what protective measures, if any, are needed for vulnerable groups such as people with asthma.