Behind the stifling heat, another atmospheric phenomenon sets up. While France has been affected for several days by the second heat wave of summer, Île-de-France faces a new danger: ozone. The region, placed in orange alert for “heat wave”, has been affected since Wednesday, August 13, by an episode of pollution “persistent” Ozone, according to the air quality monitoring association, AirParif.
To limit its magnitude, the Paris police headquarters announced in the evening traffic restrictions which will be effective from Thursday on the roads of the region. Note: Between 05:30 a.m. and midnight, the maximum authorized speed will now be 110 km/h for highways limited normally at 130 km/h. The roads limited to 110 km/h will drop to 90 km/h, and those to 90 or 80 km/H will drop to 70 km/h. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will have the obligation to bypass the capital by borrowing the Ile -de -France ring road.
The open -air burning operations are also prohibited until further notice and maintenance or cleaning work which issues volatile organic compounds, using for example thermal motor tools, solvents, varnishes, glues or paintings, must be postponed, according to the prefecture. This also recommends limiting travel by car, as well as exposure to pollution, especially for vulnerable people.
Indeed, the hot weather and the sunshine react with the exhaust gases of cars and trucks and volatile organic compounds to generate ozone, a harmful gas in low altitude which causes respiratory problems and asthma attacks. These measures are therefore aimed at reducing pollutant emissions in the atmosphere and will remain in force until they are lifted by prefectural decision, specifies the PP press release, which recalls that this episode of ozone pollution “Can constitute a health risk”.
