Paris on alert as pollution rises

POLLUTION levels in Paris and Île-de-France are set to rise above safe levels, it has been warned.

The pollution alert has been triggered as levels of the fine PM10 particles are expected to stay about the 50 microgrammes per cubic metre threshhold on both Wednesday and Thursday this week.

As a result, pollution monitor Airparif and weather forecaster Météo-France have recommended that speed limits be reduced across the Île-de-France.

They recommend that drivers cut their speeds to:

• 110kph on highway sections normally limited to 130kph
• 90kph on portions of highways and expressways normally limited to 110kph
• 70kph on portions of highways, expressways and national and departmental roads normally limited to 90kph

They have also recommended that authorities in Paris restrict travel for HGVs during the pollution spike.

Although air pollution is not expected to reach the level it did in March, authorities have said it is high enough to pose a risk to more vulnerable residents, such as poorly children, people with asthma and anyone who suffers from cardiac or respiratory illnesses.