Paris was put on an air-pollution alert today as cold weather entrapped diesel fumes, leading to the most severe smog in the French capital since 2007.
The pollution index for the French capital reached the highest of five levels for fine particulates, according to Airparif, which monitors air quality. The government urged reduced auto speeds on main roads and asked people to refrain from driving diesel vehicles lacking proper filters and from lighting up wood fireplaces.
“Irresponsible policies” that encourage the use of diesel are causing the pollution, Deputy Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said today on France Info.
The pollution alert may reignite debate over taxes on diesel fuel, which in France are lower than for gasoline. Environmental groups have urged the government to align the levies while carmakers such as PSA Peugeot Citroen (UG) have resisted the move.
The pollution alert today was extended to a dozen French regions hit by a cold snap that has pushed temperatures below freezing in the past few days and is expected to last through tomorrow. The warnings included Alsace and Normandy as well as the southern Mediterranean area around Nice.
“Bad air quality from particulates” can provoke allergic and asthmatic symptoms, Environment Minister Philippe Martin said in a statement.
Airparif put its air-pollution index at the highest level because the concentration of so-called PM10s is poised to be greater than 100 micrograms per cubic meter.
