Worried about air pollution? Discover where to look for more information about air pollution levels in your area of France.
Over the past few days in Paris and the Ile-de-France, air pollution levels rose to very unhealthy levels. Rising levels of air pollution are a concern to everyone, especially the elderly and very young and those who suffer from asthma and allergies.
The four main pollutants are:
- Sulphur dioxide, SO2 (dioxyde de soufre)
- Nitrogen dioxide NO2 (dioxyde d’azote)
- Ozone O3 (ozone)
- Fine particulate matter PM10 (poussières fines)
In the areas most affected by sudden increases of air pollution, residents are asked by France’s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development an Energy to observe the following restrictions:
• Do not use wood burning fireplaces (except main heating), particularly open fires
• Limit the use of motor vehicles, especially diesel vehicles without particle filters
• Reduce speeds on motorways and highways
• Do not burn green waste
Levels of air pollution specifically in Paris and Ile-de-France can be checked via the website Air PARIF.
To find the association that monitors air quality in all other regions of France visit Atmo France, which has an interactive map that allows users to choose their region and its association. Or you can look at the country as a whole on Prev’Air (click on the orange arrow in the bottom grey box ‘polluant’ on the left hand side to choose which pollutant you want to look at).
The indices are calculated daily based on data recorded by urban and suburban stations and follow a simple 10-point scale from 1 – very good, to 10 – very bad.
- 1/2 – very good (très bon)
- 3/4 – good (bon)
- 5 – reasonable (moyen)
- 6/7 – poor (mediocre)
- 8/9 – bad (mauvais)
- 10 – very bad (très mauvais)
