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The metropolis of Lyon has been affected by an episode of fine particle pollution for a week.
To combat the emissions of these pollutants, the Rhône prefecture has implemented a traffic ban for Crit'Air 3 and higher vehicles, i.e. approximately 30% of vehicles, throughout the center of the agglomeration (ZFE zone) .
A “
necessary
” measure, says Mario Duval, technical manager at Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
“
As long as we can reduce, even a little, the proportion of particles, it's interesting.
Everything that is not emitted is already taken
”, he continues while admitting that “it
is however very complicated to know exactly which vehicle emits what
”.
Indeed, according to Atmo figures in the region, 17% of PM10 particles and 14% of PM2.5 are emitted by road traffic.
According to Mario Duval, banning vehicles with the lowest ratings, and therefore the most polluting, can reduce
road transport emissions by "
about 50% ".
That is half of 17% of emissions.
Not enough to reverse the situation of current pollution.
The measure, more symbolic than really effective during the current episode, does however "
raise people's awareness of the need to take care of their health
", analyzes the technical manager at Atmo.
Still according to figures from Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, it is the heating of the residential sector that emits the most fine particles (57% of PM10 and 65% of PM2.5) in the metropolis of Lyon.
A main source of emissions on which it is very difficult to intervene in the short term.
“
Working on emissions from the residential sector is important because the chronic pollution it generates is not negligible.
But currently, unless we ask people not to heat themselves, which is not possible, we cannot do much
, ”explains Mario Duval.
Since February 9, the Rhône prefecture has nevertheless prohibited the burning of waste and the use of wood and its derivatives as individual supplementary heating.
An episode that could last?
The fine weather and weak winds over Lyon for the past few days have not really favored the dispersion of pollutants.
A situation that should last until Sunday according to La Chaîne Météo.
The forecasts, however, announce "
a little more mixing from Wednesday
", explains Mario Duval.
And to add: “
According to the latest weather reports, we have a layer between 400 and 600 meters which is very stable.
In this area, there is no air circulation because it has the effect of a pot lid which prevents pollution from being reduced.
And only the wind or the rain can make this lid come off
”.
For the moment Atmo therefore sets a first meeting on Wednesday for an improvement.
"
It doesn't take much for it to improve
," assures the technical manager.
Health effects
Throughout the pollution alert period, the Rhône prefecture recommends avoiding all physical activity.
"
It's really not recommended, whether for fragile people or for those who have no problem
", slips Mario Duval.
Scientifically, the causal link between fine particles and cardiovascular and respiratory mortality has been proven for many years.
According to Public Health France, "
mortality linked to ambient air pollution remains a significant risk in France with 40,000 deaths attributable each year to fine particles (PM2.5)
".
Hence the importance, even for healthy people, of reducing physical activity during periods of pollution.
"
When we run, we increase the volume of gas exchange in the lungs, so we bring more of this dust into the body
," concludes Mario Duval.