Paris is experience a dramatic smog problem that has led French leaders to declare a moratorium restricting automobiles on the streets of the capital city.
The air quality index in Paris is currently running between 151 and 200, significantly higher than Beijing or New Delhi, two cities with the greatest air quality issues in the world. At these levels, even people with healthy lungs can experience respiratory problems, and symptoms can become severe for those with breathing difficulties.
Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, sent a request to the French national government asking the leaders to restrict driving to half the usual number of cars. In the meantime, public transportation is now available in the city for no cost, and drivers are being limited to a maximum speed of 14 miles per hour, in order to reduce pollution.
Investigators are concerned that air pollution in Paris could be accompanied by particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter, known as PM10 particulates, which can bury themselves deep in lungs, causing severe health problems. Pieces of material one quarter of that size can enter the bloodstream, and can result in the formation of cancers. These particles are produced not just by automobiles, but also factories and heating units.
The air pollution in Paris is so severe, it is no longer restricted to France. The effects are being felt as far away as Wales, across the English Channel.
"I am delighted the state has agreed to put in place a partial driving ban on Monday, which I have been requesting for several days," Hidalgo tweeted on March 21.
Private automobiles with license numbers ending in odd numbers will be the only ones allowed to be on the road on March 23, with the exception of ambulances, taxis, and electric cars.
Diesel engines are extremely common in Paris, resulting in the release of large quantities of pollutants. These particles are being held in the ground by weather conditions which are bringing warm days and cool nights, compounding the problem.
"The pollution levels are consistent. If we don't go over the alert level, we won't be far away," Airparif, an organization charged with monitoring air quality around Paris, declared.
In 2014, smog in Paris reached an air quality level of 158, and the government responded by restricting automobile travel to half the normal number.
Plume Labs, a mobile air quality monitoring system that provides measurements in 60 cities, has measured Paris to have the most polluted air in the world.
Photo: Moyan Brenn | Flickr
