For four days, the Hautes-Pyrénées have suffered from persistent fine particle pollution. The alert threshold has been exceeded.
The Hautes-Pyrénées are suffocating. A persistent episode of fine particle pollution broke out this weekend in the department. The authorities launched an alert procedure, maintained on Monday due to the lack of improvement in conditions.
“This Monday, the concentrations of suspended particles should remain at high levels, indicates the Regional Air Observatory in Midi-Pyrenees (Oramip) on its website. Across the department, the air quality index will be very bad. ”
This air quality index is particularly bad in Lourdes and Tarbes, where it reached the worst level on the scale (10). This Sunday, the regional agency indicated that “the observed concentrations of suspended particles PM10 exceeded for the fourth consecutive day 50 micrograms / m3 of air on average over 24 hours”. No significant improvement is expected in the coming days, the agency further warns.
Ecobuage
The main cause of this pollution is the accumulation of suspended particles due to a very stable atmosphere and a weak wind. Locally, fires caused by scouring (brush clearing by fire) add to the current emissions of particles into the atmosphere, explains the organization.
The Hautes-Pyrénées prefecture has extended the alert procedure until Monday evening at least. A prefectural decree was issued to prohibit the burning and incineration of plants in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The alert threshold corresponds to the level beyond which a short-term exposure presents a risk for the entire population, and no longer just for the frail.
Sunday, the air quality index was average in Toulouse and good in other regional agglomerations, says Oramip.
In the event of a peak #pollution here are the recommendations to follow and the good reflexes to have: https://t.co/8Mw3mFn73p pic.twitter.com/CWMyCmSEIw
– Prefect Occitanie (@PrefetOccitanie) December 30, 2016
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