Measurements began last week in a study to quantify the sources of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ affecting the City of Paris. The study aims to determine the pollutant sources affecting the Paris population and it will provide priorities for policies to reduce PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations.

PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 will be measured and analysed simultaneously at six monitoring sites representative of different environments (urban traffic site, urban, rural or regional background situations) in order to determine their chemical composition and to track their original source. The project which is led by AirParif has a cost of 1 million euro and is funded by the French state, the regional council and the municipality of Paris. The project is supported by a scientific committee of particle specialists from France, Berlin, London and Spain.

Gary Fuller, from King’s College London, a member of the project scientific committee said, "This comprehensive investigation will not only provide evidence to support air quality management in Paris; the results will be of great relevance to air quality management in London and other major urban areas across the EU."

Further information about air quality in Paris may be obtained from the Air Parif website at:

AirParif website

Further details of the PM source apportionment project can be found by following the link below.

More Information

Item date 16/09/2009