Reduce children’s exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), this gas irritating to the bronchi produced by the heat engines of cars, in particular, which promotes asthma and lung infections? It is possible, according to the Respire and Airgone associations. In the yard, in the classroom, on the facade, on the street… They installed the sensors at ten or close to ten schools Parisian areas in more or less pedestrian zones, in order to measure the concentrations of this pollutant. Two different measurement campaigns were carried out: from June 14 to 28, 2023 and from September 21 to October 6, 2023.
The result of this experiment: it reveals a drop in NO concentration2up to 30%, near schools that use the most favorable benefits for walking. Associations also measured the presence of fine PM particles2.5continuously, from June 14, 2023 to April 30, 2024. This study, however, did not enable detection of the effect of walking in terms of particle emissions2.5. The report therefore recommends the continuation of these concentration assessment campaigns, especially in winter when pollution levels are higher, in order to increase the number of measurements and draw more precise conclusions.
According to a study in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health published in 2021, NO2 would be the cause of 2,575 deaths per year in Paris, mainly due to asthma or lung infection, reminds Respire. Organized by this association and the collective “La Rue est à nous”, several mobilizations are taking place in Paris and its suburbs this Friday, May 24, 2024, to demand from the authorities development of “quiet streets” near educational institutions.
Article published on May 24, 2024