Three departments in the South of France triggered emergency measures on Thursday because of ozone pollution. In particular, limiting car travel is recommended.
In the near future, France will be among the countries in Europe hardest hit by the health impact of ozone pollution. Thus, this pollutant produced in the atmosphere under the effect of solar radiation by reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted in particular by human activities will kill three times more by 2060 in France.
But until 2060, the prefects of Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Alpes-Maritimes announced on Wednesday the triggering for Thursday of “level 1 emergency measures” due to ozone pollution. in these departments.
Favor carpooling and public transport
Local authorities recommend that drivers “limit travel” from 6 am to 9 pm, to favor carpooling and public transport. Another piece of advice, “avoid intense physical exertion, in particular for sensitive people (children, the elderly, people with asthma or allergies and people with respiratory or cardiovascular problems). “
The inhabitants are invited not to carry out work and activities requiring the use of solvents, paints or varnishes. Manufacturers must also reduce their polluting emissions.
The harmful effects of ozone on health are manifold
In summary, this alert level (240 micrograms per m3 of air) coincides with the first high temperatures. On Wednesday, the maximums rose from 30 to 34 degrees over a wide south-eastern quarter, or even 35 to 36 degrees in Provence, according to Météo-France. And this Thursday, it will be 33 degrees in Marseille, 33 in Nice, and 28 in Toulon.
Finally, on the dangers side, remember that ozone and the other compounds that accompany it, in the event of a peak, are aggressive and irritating to the respiratory tract. They can also cause the appearance of many symptoms such as inflammation of the bronchi, irritation of the throat and eyes, asthma attacks.
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