Air quality improved last year, according to Airparif’s latest report. But the levels of pollution observed in the region remain higher than the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), warns the association.
“Air quality is improving but not enough to meet French and European recommendations, and even less those of the WHO“, explains Antoine Trouche, engineer at Airparif, to sum up the balance sheet of the association published on Tuesday. “Over 10 years, we have seen an average drop of 30% in nitrogen dioxide, and 35 to 40% for PM10 and PM2.5 particles.“, he indicates.
A trend that continued in 2021. It should be noted, among other things, that 11 episodes of pollution were observed during the year, including 10 “for PM10 particles and one because of ozone (…) i.e. the lowest number of days of exceedance for ten years“, according Airparif.
Ozone is the only pollutant with an upward trend, with a 25% increase over 10 years
Pierre Pernot, Airparif communications director
“This is mainly explained by a drop in emissions from road traffic and emissions caused by residential heating. There are technological causes, for example with some newer vehicles and heating systems. We can also mention the regulatory measures that are going in the right direction, with in particular the Low Emission Zones (ZFE) and the incentive to use public transport“, analyzes Antoine Trouche.
Pierre Pernot, director of communications at Airparif, also underlines the role of weather conditions: “These conditions can vary from one year to another, especially if there is a scorching summer, conducive to the formation of ozone, and therefore to an episode of pollution. It is the only pollutant with an upward trend, with a 25% increase over 10 years. It is not emitted directly into the air: ozone is formed from other pollutants, especially under sunlight.“
Airparif points out, however, that 60,000 Ile-de-France residents remain exposed to concentrations that exceed French and European recommendations for nitrogen dioxide. 500,000 Ile-de-France residents were affected in 2019, by way of comparison.
“Geographically, the concentrations of pollutants are higher along the major traffic axes, especially near the ring road and in Paris, with a high population density.“, explains Antoine Trouche.
“Air pollution is the cause of cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies. And some particles are carcinogenic“, recalls the engineer. In a study published in early 2022 with the Île-de-France Regional Health Observatory (ORS), Airparif estimates that 7,900 premature deaths linked to the impact of air pollution could be avoided each year. “Nearly 8,000 preventable deaths per year is considerable“, emphasizes Antoine Trouche.
Note that WHO air quality recommendations, which are stricter than European regulations, were strengthened last year. According to these alert thresholds, 100% of the 12 million people who live in Île-de-France breathe excessively polluted air.
