Paris is now covered in smog, angering residents and stirring the French government into action.
In an effort to fight pollution, all public transportation in the capital city is free through the weekend.
The European Environment Agency is telling people the problem is spreading far beyond Paris. They issued warnings of dangerously high levels of smog as far away as Belgium and Germany. Smaller municipalities around France are also suffering from high smog levels.
Officials in France are asking the public to avoid using automobiles if at all possible, and to take public transportation or carpool. Rental bicycles and electric cars are also free in the capital, through Sunday 16 March. Police have lowered speed limits throughout the city, and residents are being asked not to burn wood in fire places or wood stoves. Factories that produce significant quantities of smog are also being asked to scale back production until the problem is under control. On Thursday, officials reported over 10,000 violations of the new regulations.
Health warnings have been issued for young people, as well as the elderly. They are being encouraged to stay inside. Joggers in Paris parks are telling others they are finding it difficult to run in the polluted air. Doctors in some medical facilities are telling the press complaints for air-related syndromes are up since smog began in earnest.
"They cough more and find they are more often short of breath. The only risk is for those who suffer from respiratory diseases, including asthma. Those who suffer from asthma need to be vigilant about their treatment and avoid exercise or other physical activity," Michel Aubier, supervising physician for pulmonology at Paris' Bichat Hospital, told the press.
Beijing has suffered from blinding levels of smog for months, and Mumbai has experienced major problems as well.
A high-pressure system over Paris provided that city with several days of sunny skies, warm days and low winds. Those conditions left the air stagnant, and pollution hovered over the city, building up over time.
Starting on Monday, automobile traffic will be constrained by an system, based on license plate numbers. Half the cars will be forbidden from driving, depending on if their plate number is odd or even. After one day under those conditions, officials will decide if they will extend the program another day, alternating the cars allowed to be on the road.
The European Commission has issued previous warnings to the French government that they are not complying with international rules on air pollution.
