More and more environmental zones are coming into force in France this year. But existing zones are also being continuously expanded. Since the beginning of the month, there have been innovations in Paris and Nancy.
There are different environmental zones in France. Some of the zones are permanently active, while others are only temporary. The latter are also called weather-related air protection zones, whereby the word "weather" does not refer to a specific weather condition such as sunshine or rain, but to the air quality, which often goes hand in hand with the weather.
Fine dust is harmful to health. But universal limits and measurements do not exist. The WHO could change this by setting guidelines for a global definition of PM2.5. Adjusting the values would also imply more environmental zones.
Saharan dust caused particulate matter levels in Europe to skyrocket this week. In Switzerland, the speed limit on motorways was tightened. In France, the activation of the environmental zones was mostly too late. In some areas, they were dispensed with altogether despite the pollution.
Environmental zones and driving bans are the result of air pollution in many countries on planet Earth. But scientists also use indicators like nitrogen dioxide for other purposes - for example, to explore space and find evidence of extraterrestrial life.
The situation for car drivers in France is becoming increasingly confusing. Now Bordeaux is also to get a temporary environmental zone. In the city by the sea, however, it is not only traffic that causes high particulate pollution. The sea also contributes to the air pollution peaks.
Paris 83 instead of 10, Marseille 89 instead of 5, Lyon 108 instead of 14. This is how many days with temporary driving bans will be in France from 2021.
Wet cleaning of the street of the fine dust hotspot Neckarktor was intended to remove the dangerous particles from the ground. Now the city is stopping this pointless measure.
Frankfurt will probably have to get used to driving bans, as the Hessian Administrative Court has now confirmed once again.
