Main measure implemented by the prefectures of several departments in the south of France: a reduction of 20 km/h in the authorized speed on the roads, to preserve air quality.
An anticyclone which maintains a certain mildness in the lower layers of the atmosphere, heating which turns in the heart of winter and automobile traffic which remains strong, during this period of travel linked to holidays and end-of-year celebrations : air quality is significantly degraded in several departments in the south of France, where the prefectures issued a red alert for fine particles on January 1. Concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide or PM10 particles are in fact high, which directly affects the air we breathe, with possible risks to our health.
Controls will be reinforced on the roads
Already affected on Tuesday December 31, Var is extending the system this Wednesday, which is now also extended to Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse, as announced in a press release by the prefects.
#pollution | Ozone air pollution episode in Bouches-du-Rhône, level 1 alert is triggered for Wednesday January 1, 2025.
Health and behavioral recommendations, in the transport, industrial, residential and tertiary, agricultural sectors, etc. pic.twitter.com/oHw7AXTzDD— Prefect of the PACA region and Bouches-du-Rhône (@Prefet13) https://twitter.com/Prefet13/status/1874127852439777302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Main measure put in place to preserve air quality: the reduction of 20 km/h in the authorized speed on roads and motorways, a reduction which cannot however go below 70 km/h, depending on the axes concerned. A measure that it is imperative to respect, to preserve everyone's health, especially since the police have been instructed to increase the number of checks to enforce it.
Reduce strenuous sporting activities
Other recommendations: reduce intense sporting and physical activities, avoid traveling on foot if you have heart or respiratory problems, or are particularly sensitive to the impact of pollution, such as people who are diabetic, immunocompromised or suffering from medical conditions. neurological or at risk of cardiac, respiratory or infectious diseases.
At the professional level, and even if this is certainly more limited on January 1st which is a public holiday, the authorities also recommend a reduction in polluting activities, whether in industry or in agriculture, for example for spreading of phytosanitary products.
Other sectors are also experiencing air quality described as poor by Athmo France, the public service which brings together air pollution data, notably Montpellier and Tarbes in Occitanie, but also Lyon or Bordeaux in France. The situation should improve overall from Thursday January 2.
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