Pollution spike prompts alert

POLLUTION levels have spiked to dangerous levels in parts of Haute-Savoie, the region’s air quality monitor has warned.

Air Rhône-Alpes said that air quality in the vallée de l'Arve had become particularly “bad”, as a result of smoke from wood-burning chimneys and conditions “conducive to the accumulation of pollutants”. Conditions will improve when forecast rain arrives on Saturday, it said.

The pollution alert has been triggered after levels of the fine particles in the air exceeded a threshhold of more than 50 microgrammes per cubic metre for the past 48 hours.

The prefecture of Haute-Savoie advised vulnerable people stay indoors and asked all others to avoid intense outdoor physical activity. It also imposed reduced speed limits on the A410 to the Evires Scientrier, on the A40 to Annemasse Fayet, and on the road between Bonneville and Marignier, advised people to use public transport instead of their own vehicles and to turn down their heating wherever possible.

Air quality in Rennes, Nantes and Le Mans is improving after a pollution alert was issued on Wednesday.

Photo: Alain Rouiller