Remember those images of deserted Paris, Bordeaux or Nice, of these ghost town centers, freed from cars, and the song of birds which echoed louder than that of the engines.
Just a year ago, during the first confinement that took place from March 16 to May 11, 2020, the French were forced to shut themselves up at home to escape the coronavirus.
As the Covid-19 death curve soared, health officials have found that the pollution-related death curve is dropping.
According to a study unveiled this Wednesday morning by the Public Health France organization, 2,300 deaths have been avoided due to the drop in fine particle pollution.
And 1,200 lives have been saved due to the reduction in the exposure of the French to nitrogen dioxide, the main source of which is road traffic.
VIDEO.
A year ago, the streets of Paris deserted during the first confinement
In fluid mechanics, we could speak of a system of communicating vessels.
Less traffic = less pollution = more lives saved.
"We obviously do not recommend the implementation of containments to act on air quality, but we can clearly see that the proactive actions of the State and cities to reduce polluting emissions in urban areas, in particular less use. car and greater recourse to teleworking, bring immediate health benefits ”, underlines Sébastien Denys, Director of Health, Environment and Work within the public body.
40,000 annual deaths attributable to fine particulate matter exposure
France still has a long way to go before reaching satisfactory air quality levels.
While Public Health France recognizes having observed a "downward trend in pollutants" between 2016 and 2019, it estimates that 40,000 annual deaths are attributable to exposure of people aged 30 and over to fine particles.
And 7,000 deaths would be preventable if nitrogen dioxide pollution levels weren't so bad.
The public body is currently working on a study to see if there is a link between air pollution and increased risks of contracting Covid-19.
Why does this stale air translate into such a massacre every year?
"Toxicological studies have shown that pollution causes oxidative stress in our body and promotes inflammation of our cells," explains Sylvia Medina, coordinator of the air and health monitoring program.
This weakens our immunity, can have effects on our respiratory and cardiovascular system.
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The key in the most serious cases: heart attacks, bronchopneumopathies and even neurological effects.
"This can also lead to an increase in premature births for future mothers exposed to pollution during their pregnancy and to growth delays for the baby who can see the normal development of his lungs hampered", adds the specialist.
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"Actions are possible to prevent tens of thousands of deaths each year," insists Sébastien Denys.
Air pollution is a burden that requires us to step up our efforts to reduce its impact.
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