Louise Sallé 6:50 a.m., March 14, 2023

In Paris, more than 5,000 tonnes of waste are collected on the sidewalks of the capital due to a renewable strike by garbage collectors protesting against the postponement of the retirement age provided for in the pension reform.

But rotting food waste is not without risk to our lungs.

Garbage cans are piling up in the streets of Paris, due to the garbage collectors' strike against the pension reform.

But rotting food waste, as well as rotting plastics, is not without risk to our lungs.

It is thus necessary to pay attention to the gases which escape from these dustbins, and with the odors of the mushrooms and bacteria which develop there, in particular for the people who have difficulties in breathing. 

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Worsening of breathing problems 

“It can aggravate an underlying lung pathology such as asthma,” explains Dr Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist and president of Santé Respiratoire France.

"And the inhalation of a certain number of toxins or fungi can also aggravate specific pathologies at the respiratory level", he adds.

The urine of rats attracted to garbage cans can also cause disease. 

Sanitary controls to be reinforced on the water 

"This urine can be responsible for hemorrhagic fevers, which are known as leptospiros, and which can be fatal in 8 to 20% of cases", warns the pulmonologist.

Paris water, finally, is likely to be contaminated.

But let's not panic, health checks should be reinforced.

For odors, wearing a mask is strongly recommended for people who already have respiratory problems.