On December 13, 2013, the streets of Paris were as contaminated as a 20-square-meter room with eight smokers. The capital was experiencing an episode of contamination extremely dense, mainly due to road traffic, heating and industrial activities. At 18 p.m., the sky was 6 million fine particles per liter of air, 30 times more than normal. The atmosphere for a Parisian was similar to that of the passive smoking.
Health effects of ultrafine particles
These unpublished data were revealed on November 24, 2014 and were obtained thanks to the Paris balloon, installed in the park André Citroën in the 15th district. This device is capable of continuously measuring the nanoparticles present in the air. These ultrafine particles, whose diameter is less than 0.1 micrometers, are extremely harmful to human health, as they penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream and can reach the vessels of the heart.
Fine particles o ultrafine They have been classified since 2012 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as carcinogenic, especially affecting the lungs and bladder. In addition, they have been linked to cardiovascular diseases and asthma. Air pollution also has a direct influence on birth rates, as it exposes pregnant women to a higher risk of giving birth to low-birth-weight babies.
Current studies estimate that more than 2 million people worldwide die each year due to inhalation of fine particles generated by the atmospheric pollutionIn France, pollution is estimated to be responsible for at least 48.000 annual deaths, being one of the main causes of mortality, only behind tobacco and alcohol.
Actions against pollution in Paris
In recent years, Paris has stepped up its efforts to reduce pollution levels in the city. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has led a constant fight against the Diesel, motivated by the fact that vehicles that use this fuel are responsible for a large part of the emissions of fine particles in the French capital. Since 2015, restrictions have been in place for older vehicles, and from 2024, diesel cars are to be banned from driving in the city altogether.
Among the key measures to mitigate the impact of traffic on air quality is the application of the system Crit'AirThis scheme classifies vehicles by their level of emissions, giving them a coloured sticker indicating their level of pollution. Thanks to Crit'Air, authorities can limit the circulation of the most polluting cars when serious pollution episodes are detected.
In addition, the city has promoted initiatives to reduce dependence on cars, such as encouraging the use of Bike through services like Velib' or the sharing of electric vehicles through programs such as Autolib'Urban infrastructure is also being improved, with the construction of more than 1.400 kilometres of cycle paths planned by 2024.
Lead contamination after the Notre Dame fire
On April 15, 2019, a fire broke out in the cathedral of Our Lady worsened the pollution situation in Paris. During the disaster, approximately 1,000 tons of 400 tons of lead which were part of the structure of the roof and the spire of the cathedral, releasing thousands of toxic particles into the air. This situation generated a health crisis without precedents.
Lead is one of the most dangerous contaminants for health. Inhalation or ingestion of lead particles can cause serious health problems, such as saturnism, which mainly affects children under six years of age. For this reason, the Paris City Council recommended that residents and workers near the cathedral undergo blood tests to measure their levels of this metal.
In addition, a process of decontamination in the area of the cathedral and its surroundings. The work included the temporary closure of nearby streets and the cleaning of contaminated surfaces, using absorbent gels that can capture lead particles.
Prospects for the future
Despite significant efforts made by local authorities, the air quality in Paris remains a challenge. Climate change is aggravating the situation, especially with increasingly frequent episodes of extreme heat, which promote the formation of pollutants such as ozone, particularly harmful to the respiratory system.
Combating pollution in Paris will require long-term measures and the development of sustainable alternatives to car use. Current urban mobility initiatives, such as promoting electric vehicles and encouraging the use of shared transport, are important steps, but are insufficient to achieve the goals. climate goals and improve public health. New regulations and infrastructure projects are expected to continue to develop in the coming years.
Air pollution in Paris remains a critical problem affecting both the health of its inhabitants and their quality of life. However, through joint action by authorities and citizens, there is hope of achieving significant reductions in pollution levels in the coming years.