Île-de-France Implements Emergency Measures to Address Fine Particle Pollution

Speed limits will be reduced and wood heating restricted on Wednesday as pollution levels surpass safety thresholds.

The Paris police prefecture has ordered reduced speed limits across Île-de-France from 5:30 AM to midnight on Wednesday to combat high levels of fine particle pollution (PM10).
Speed reductions include lowering limits by 10-20 km/h on highways and major roads, with a maximum of 110 km/h on sections normally limited to 130 km/h.
The use of individual wood heating appliances, which are significant contributors to pollution, is temporarily banned, along with open-air burning of green waste.
Air quality monitoring organizations report pollution levels exceeding the safety threshold of 50 µg/m³, driven by road traffic, wood heating, and stagnant weather conditions.
Health officials advise residents to avoid outdoor physical activity near roads, limit exposure to indoor irritants, and consult a doctor if experiencing respiratory discomfort.