Alert over Paris air pollution

AIR pollution in the Ile-de-France is at dangerous levels, authorities have warned.

The mairie of Paris has asked the government to take radical measures to safeguard the health of inhabitants because of high levels of MP10 particles – fine ones most likely to get deep into the lungs.

They have been above safety alert levels since Friday and, according to Airparif, a body monitoring air quality in the capital, even “exposure for a short duration presents a health risk for the whole population or a risk of environmental harm”.

At the weekend the Prefecture de Police ordered speed limits to be reduced by 20kph, notably on the Blvd Périphérique, where traffic was limited to 60kph. The measure was accompanied with advice to be vigilant with regard to people with fragile health, especially those with respiratory problems.

Airparif say weather conditions are mainly to blame – little wind and high atmospheric pressure, keeping pollution close to the ground.