Sand rain in the South… and poor air quality in the North. Here is the program for this Sunday, March 27. For several days, the weather conditions (bright sun and light wind) have not allowed good dispersion of pollutants linked, among other things, to road traffic, heating and agricultural activities. As a result, several French regions are affected by peaks of fine particles.
Very impacted, Île-de-France should display this Sunday for the fourth day in a row an entirely red card, synonymous with poor air quality and respiratory or heart problems. While waiting for the improvement, the prefect of police of Paris Didier Lallement set up this Saturday March 26 the differentiated circulation. A first for over a year. Until further notice, only vehicles displaying a Crit’Air sticker 0, 1 and 2 on the windscreen are allowed to drive between 5:30 a.m. and midnight inside the A86, the ring road surrounding the capital and its near suburb. Offenders incur a fine of 68 euros (light vehicles) to 135 euros (heavy vehicles).
Reduced speed
In addition to differentiated traffic, the maximum speed has been reduced: from 130 to 110 km/h on motorways; from 110 to 90 km/h on expressways and from 80 or 90 to 70 km/h. The authorities have also canceled the 22nd Traversée de Paris, a parade of vintage cars scheduled for this Saturday… The police headquarters have also banned the use of wood-burning heaters. Measures are also planned for the agricultural sector, such as the postponement of fertilizer spreading, which causes ammonia emissions through volatilization.
The south of the country is not spared. In Occitania, where we are also suffering the deleterious effects of a new cloud of sand from the Sahara, the association in charge of monitoring air quality warned on Friday of ozone pollution. . Formed by chemical reaction from other compounds, under the action of UV rays from the sun, this gas can cause serious respiratory problems. Hence the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, in particular for vulnerable or fragile people (pregnant women, young children, heart or respiratory failure, etc.): limit intense physical and sporting activities (including competitions) outdoors and avoid outings in the afternoon, while waiting for the return to normal.