Finally, we know why the atmosphere over at the Loggione is so toxic: there's asbestos everywhere!
A nice chunk of the upper Gallerie of la Scala -- the infamous loggione -- has been cordoned off by the ever-vigilant health authorities because decades-old asbestos hadn't really been removed during the 2004 renovations that basically gutted the building.
The asbestos will be promptly removed -- it will take two months.
Corriere della Sera story here.