Tony Renucci, director of the Respire association, estimates on Monday March 28 on franceinfo that air pollution “is not sufficiently taken into account today” in France when it kills 48,000 people a year. The episode of air pollution continues in the country. Differentiated traffic measures have been put in place in Île-de-France and part of Hauts-de-France. “It’s a fairly classic episode of pollution in the spring”, he said. He advises avoiding the practice of sport, because “we take a lot of pollution” in the lungs and organs.
franceinfo: these episodes of pollution are nothing exceptional?
Tony Renucci: It’s even a fairly classic episode of pollution in the spring, since we have unfavorable weather. There is the absence of wind, therefore dispersion of pollutants. We have an accumulation of pollution due to our activity. And then above all, there are the agricultural spreadings, in particular in Brittany, which we have at the moment. And that creates peaks, in particular of ammonia, which are precursors to higher concentrations of fine particles. So it’s very classic.
Is differentiated circulation a good system?
Yes, it’s a good system because it means that traffic restrictions are put in place on the most polluting vehicles and especially the most polluting ones. So, this allows to reduce one of the two most important sources of pollution and to be unfavorable towards the concentrations of pollutants in the air.
Does it have an effect on pollution?
There will be a drop in pollutant emissions, but it’s still a combination of things. There, it’s really the meteorological conditions that are causing a pollution peak. As soon as the conditions improve, as soon as there is wind and in particular a drop in temperatures and rains immediately, there will be a much greater effect on the concentrations.
Air pollution kills 48,000 people a year. Do you think this problem is taken seriously enough in our country?
It is clear that no. Afterwards, there are measures, as often, as soon as there is a peak in pollution. There are measures, either recommendations or restrictions that are being put in place. At the Respire association, we are trying to mobilize presidential candidates. We presented them with a pact of twenty commitments so that we have a healthy air in France. And it is clear that France was nevertheless doubly condemned in 2019 and in 2021 for its insufficient action against air pollution. And the subject is not sufficiently taken into account today.
The episode of pollution will last until the middle of the week. What should you avoid doing?
There are some health recommendations, especially when there are peaks of fine particle pollution. It is already to really avoid outdoor sporting activity. When we breathe, we inhale more pollutants, we breathe ten times more. Today, we are at levels that are around 50 micrograms per cubic meter. It’s as if we went to 500. Instead of being in Paris, we find ourselves in Bombay. We take a lot of pollution for our lungs, for our organs. It is also recommended to ventilate fifteen minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening to really promote the renewal of the air indoors.