A classic side effect of heat episodes, the concentration of ozone in the air is clearly increasing over a large part of France, according to the official Prev'Air bulletin published on Friday, which provides for a continuation of this pollution in the coming days.

“Under the effect of the heat wave that the metropolis is currently experiencing, ozone concentrations have been increasing sharply for two days.

These concentrations should remain high today (Friday) and in the days to come, ”indicates the Prev'Air platform, managed by Ineris.

Exceedances of the information and recommendation threshold for ozone (180 µg/m3 hourly average) are expected in Ile-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, Normandy and Occitanie.

These thresholds could also be exceeded in the Grand Est, Center Val-de-Loire, Pays de la Loire, Brittany, New Aquitaine, Hauts-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Burgundy -Franche-Comte.

"After maximum concentrations scheduled for this Saturday June 18, the situation should evolve positively from Sunday June 19, even if local overruns will not be excluded in Ile-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur or Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes”, specifies the bulletin.

A gas that irritates the respiratory tract

In addition to the implementation of differentiated traffic in Paris, Ile-de-France Mobilités will also offer, from Saturday and until the end of the pollution episode, an "anti-pollution package" allowing you to take the almost all public transport in the region for 3.80 euros.

Carpooling will be free for all Ile-de-France residents without means conditions, up to two journeys per day, for journeys of less than 30 km.

Ozone is a so-called “secondary” pollutant because it is not directly released by an activity.

It results from chemical reactions, under the effect of the sun, involving pollutants present in the air, such as nitrogen oxides, emitted mainly by road traffic, and volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons, solvents, etc.) released by industry.

It is an irritating gas that easily penetrates to the finest respiratory tracts.

It is especially a problem in summer, in periods of strong sunshine, if there is no wind to disperse it.

Company

Heat wave: From Millau to Dinard, temperature records for the month of June in at least 11 municipalities

Strasbourg

Alsace: Big peak in ozone pollution, many measures taken

  • Planet

  • Ozone

  • Pollution

  • Heat wave

  • Air quality