fines: Yes, there are solutions to their skin! – The Obs

The equivalent of a city like Saint-Ouen! The number of deaths due to fine particles in France each year, according to the latest study published Tuesday, June 21 by the official news agency Public Health France.

These particles are called “fine” because a minimum diameter less than 10 microns, and it is their size that is the problem: they are in fact so tiny they are received all over our bodies – bronchi, blood, brain … And do not expect the famous “pollution peaks” which alarmed the authorities as soon as the warm weather arrives to cause bronchitis, asthma, as well as cancers, heart attacks, heart …

However, these particles are by no means inevitable: if the European Commission has repeatedly singled out France for its laxity in the matter, if the Court of Auditors has added a layer at the beginning of the year 2016, it is that solutions are within reach of the authorities

Here are three well-known measures that could be implemented.

1 Reduce / eliminate diesel

the preferred fuel for many French weighs in 13% of fine particles called “PM10″ emitted by the road transport as a whole. And if he no longer has the wind in its sails, some cities – Paris head – decided to gradually expel its users, the least we can say is that anti-diesel policies more ambitious could be implemented

Especially in urban areas. urban tolls, more proactive encouragement to car sharing and carpooling. Encouragement parking (free) and the use of alternative (cycling and public transport). Copenhagen or Berlin are, as such, models that all French cities would do well to emulate

The ports would do well also to get started. According to a study by the NGO France Nature Environnement, the french ships cause a health disaster for local residents who suffer their fines. However, they are not required to perform any filter or any deterrent charges.

2 Prohibit city in chimney fires

in December 2014, the controversy ignited the green Landerneau: Ségolène Royal, the Ecology Minister, had no rhyme or reason, decided to return to ban open fires declared by the prefect of the Ile-de-France. “Ridiculous,” had tackled the minister, obviously more concerned about preserving the Christmas traditions that the health of Parisians.

However, the fine particles released by the fires of wood logs weigh in particulate pollution and yes, their ban at least in large densely populated urban areas could be considered a medical necessity.

3 Reduce fertilizer

We know the role of agricultural chemical inputs in the development of certain cancers, on the human endocrine system and bee mortality. chemical fertilizers unless it is known that represent no less than 47% (!) of the total airborne particles, says the Interprofessional Technical Centre for Studies of air pollution (Citepa).

knowing that organic farming (without chemical inputs) exists, it can be extremely productive (in the case for example of permaculture) and today it represents less than 5% of the agricultural area tricolor it is not hard to imagine the considerable progress still to be made. For the good soil, wildlife, for the sake of what is on our plates and also for our bodies disgorge particles.

Arnaud Gonzague