“Industrial activities”, “Road transport”, “Particle emissions”, “Impacts on the lungs”… On the table about forty cards that will have to be placed in the correct order, from causes to consequences, linking them with markers: this is the principle of the Fresque de la qualité de l’air developed by AirParifdesigned on the model of the Fresque du climat, which 20 minutes tested this Wednesday at the premises of the air pollution monitoring body.
Two hours during which we wonder about a multitude of things: and road transport, does it work with what energy? Oil only? Not only ! It can also be electricity (electric cars) but also gas, even biofuels, biogas or hydrogen. And hop, we connect the different energy sources. Incidentally, we learn thanks to the engineer Antoine Trouche, head of scientific mediation at Airparif, that two thirds of the particles emitted by road traffic in Île-de-France are abrasion particles linked to the friction of brakes and tires. And therefore, not primarily out of the exhaust pipes!
Wood heating, a major cause of fine particles
But the first source of fine particles in Île-de-France, these particles which infiltrate the wall of the lungs and enter the blood, creating cancers, cardiovascular diseases and increasing the risk of stroke, is heating. in the woods, and from afar. It is responsible on its own for more than half of the fine particles in Île-de-France, while it only represents 6% of heating in the region (despite its ban). Besides, road transport is 15%, in other words, not that much. This is a received idea more than foiled.
Just like that pollution would increase: almost all polluting emissions are decreasing in Ile-de-France. Nitrogen oxide has decreased by 53% in fourteen years, volatile organic compounds by 43%, sulfur dioxide by 86% and even the famous fine particles, by 46%.
8,000 dead in Ile-de-France
This is not a reason to rejoice too quickly. Because ozone continues to increase, because of global warming, and, in addition to the effects on humans, it necroses plants and causes a significant drop in agricultural yields. But above all, each year 8,000 people die prematurely because of all these pollutants, or 10% of deaths in Île-de-France. Huge, isn’t it?
Finally, if you thought the government was in the nails on air quality, it’s not quite the case. Sixty thousand Ile-de-France residents are exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels above the regulatory limit values, and almost a thousand to PM10 particles (with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers). And if we rely on the standards of the World Health Organization, which are stricter to take better account of recent scientific research, it is quite simply almost all the inhabitants of the region who are exposed . A little depressing all that, but very instructive!
To register for an Air Quality Fresco, supervised by Airparif, you can contact the organization on 01 44 59 47 64 or via their website.