For a month, we have been breathing better in Florange as in Thionville or Metz. It’s at least a beneficial effect of containment. With the reduction in road traffic, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) harmful to human health and the environment have fallen sharply.
“The figures are striking from the first days after the confinement,” said Emmanuel Jantzem, engineer in charge of studies for Atmo Grand-Est. Between March 16 and 25, the measurement stations of the approved association recorded up to 54% drop in nitrogen dioxide concentrations around major roads such as the A31.
“The weather conditions are also playing a lot, but for the past month, we can say that there has been a significant drop. In the Metz-Thionville area, the population’s exposure to nitrogen dioxide has improved by 10 to 25%. “The benefit is even greater for people living near the A31 or urban boulevards. “
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Spring pollution
But if emissions linked to road traffic are in sharp decline, the territory remains subject to different sources of pollution.
Another important indicator of air quality, particulate matter (PM10) concentrations, emitted in particular by agricultural activities, did not decrease in the period following the establishment of containment. Concentrations even crossed the alert threshold on March 28 due to dry and warmer weather. “However, we can estimate that even higher levels would have been reached with the maintenance of road traffic,” underlines Emmanuel Jantzem.
According to models produced by Atmo Grand Est, the effect of confinement should still allow residents less exposure to PM10, of the order of 2 to 5%.
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Industrial pollution
Beyond the A31, air pollution in the Fensch valley remains under special surveillance due to industrial activity resulting in PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) or benzene emissions. The measurement of these pollutants gives rise to deferred analyzes (in the laboratory). This surveillance is a priority, but the data for the period and the impact of the decline in the steel industry are not yet known.
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