The concentration of particles in the Vaucluse atmosphere and in Bouches-du-Rhône has reached the threshold for information and recommendations provided for by prefectural procedures. The two Provençal departments are placed on level 1 alert for this Wednesday, January 1, alongside Var.
This Tuesday, December 31, AtmoSud, an association approved by the State and responsible for monitoring air quality, indicated that “the information and recommendations threshold set at 50 µg/m³ per day has been reached in the Vaucluse department”. And “high risk of pollution is expected for Thursday January 2.”
Weather conditions also responsible
Air pollution is often associated with the summer season when radiation generates ozone. Despite the winter temperatures, the departments are placed on “alert 1” on January 1st. “The main cause of this air pollution is wood heating, which is a major emitter of pollutionexplains Mélanie Selvanizza, member of AtmoSud. Wood heating is responsible for more than 45% of fine particle emissions in the South region.”
The recent fires (apartment fires or green waste fires) which affected Vaucluse are also the cause of this increase in pollution, “as soon as there is combustion, there is pollution”.
Other causes of this atmospheric pollution are weather conditions: “At the moment there is no wind and temperatures are very low. This means that pollutants are accumulating in the atmosphere”indicates Mélanie Selvanizza. “In the coming days, we will note the arrival of the mistral and the rain. This is the best way to reduce pollution since the rain helps to clean the atmosphere and the wind to chase away particles and improve the quality of the air”she elaborates.
Alternatives
To combat pollution linked to wood heating, there are a few alternatives: “You can change your old wood stove for a recent one and replace your open fireplace with a closed fireplace. But it is obvious that we cannot ask people to stop heating themselves so we give them recommendations”agrees Mélanie Selvanizza.
The Department of Vaucluse grants, under certain conditions, aid set at €2,000 for thermal renovation or the installation of wood heating equipment.
Strengthening anti-pollution measures
For their part, the prefectures of Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône have decided to strengthen the protocol by asking the police for regular checks to ensure compliance with regulatory speeds on public roads, lowered by 20 km/h, anti-pollution checks on vehicles circulating on public roads, verification of technical controls, checks for the presence of release equipment on mopeds, compliance with ICPE requirements, reporting maintenance work carried out with non-electric tools or products based on organic solvents and compliance with the bans on burning green waste in the open air.
“Cars are also responsible for the increase in pollution since they emit particles. Adapting your speed means emitting fewer particles. These measures are complementary”admits Mélanie Selvanizza.
If the pollution episode were to last or intensify, additional measures could be taken. Pollution should decrease on Friday January 3 with the arrival of the mistral.
