By — Simone Pathe Simone Pathe Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/polluted-skies-paris-reach-levels-comparable-beijing Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Polluted skies in Paris reach levels comparable to Beijing World Mar 14, 2014 3:24 PM EDT Beijing on the Seine: "@nycjim: Layer of smog envelops Paris and other French cities. http://t.co/AF6Es22UCW pic.twitter.com/dufaJzjRCI” — John Bussey (@johncbussey) March 14, 2014 There’s no excuse for easy-breathing tourists in France not to take in all of Paris’ sites this weekend: all major forms of public transportation, including the metro, city bikes and shared electric cars, are free. Recent air quality in the City of Lights, however, may make some visitors think twice about venturing into the streets. Heavily polluted air, exacerbated by a high pressure system, is hovering over northern France and obstructing the usually clear view of the low-lying buildings of Paris. La pollution à Paris en deux photos : http://t.co/L5YpMD3rBk pic.twitter.com/zSpQippZQH — Le Monde (@lemondefr) March 14, 2014 The French Health Ministry has issued air quality warnings for at-risk populations. It’s the fourth day the French capital has been parked under the grey cloud, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings on Friday coming in at 185 — comparable to Beijing, one of the world’s most polluted cities. The European Environmental Agency is calling this the worst pollution episode since 2007. France faces potential sanctions and fines from the European Union for exceeding limits on particulate matter in the atmosphere. By — Simone Pathe Simone Pathe @sfpathe
Beijing on the Seine: "@nycjim: Layer of smog envelops Paris and other French cities. http://t.co/AF6Es22UCW pic.twitter.com/dufaJzjRCI” — John Bussey (@johncbussey) March 14, 2014 There’s no excuse for easy-breathing tourists in France not to take in all of Paris’ sites this weekend: all major forms of public transportation, including the metro, city bikes and shared electric cars, are free. Recent air quality in the City of Lights, however, may make some visitors think twice about venturing into the streets. Heavily polluted air, exacerbated by a high pressure system, is hovering over northern France and obstructing the usually clear view of the low-lying buildings of Paris. La pollution à Paris en deux photos : http://t.co/L5YpMD3rBk pic.twitter.com/zSpQippZQH — Le Monde (@lemondefr) March 14, 2014 The French Health Ministry has issued air quality warnings for at-risk populations. It’s the fourth day the French capital has been parked under the grey cloud, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings on Friday coming in at 185 — comparable to Beijing, one of the world’s most polluted cities. The European Environmental Agency is calling this the worst pollution episode since 2007. France faces potential sanctions and fines from the European Union for exceeding limits on particulate matter in the atmosphere.