The Paris games are a big event that everyone seems to be watching right now – but aside from all the focus on the powerful athletes and their track records, the statistics on performance, and the spectacle of the games, there’s also what’s happening in the background, and what’s been going on over recent months, to prepare for this international showdown.
Part of that effort has to do with the history of the city of Paris, and its air quality.
We tend to think of France as a leader in ecology and health – a cleaner, greener place where higher standards are recognized.
However, a look at standard Paris air quality trackers shows that Paris as a city is only slightly ahead of cities like Chicago, or even others in the developing world, with an air quality index of 61 overall and a significant portion of that driven by No2 traffic emissions.
However, although the city might not be the cleanest – in fact, it’s one of the most heavily impacted in the country – there is a will and a desire to make things better, and people are working behind the scenes to improve air quality, including through the Olympic event. With more traffic activity, it’s a flashpoint to watch in terms of the impact on carbon emissions and air quality. That’s part of the reason that Paris leaders are so keen on tackling this problem now.
Paris Efforts on Air Quality
One thing that leaders are doing is monitoring the air quality around the city. This helps protect against harmful spikes in pollutants that can lead to worse conditions for everyone, including athletes, and high-risk categories, like children and pregnant women. Tools like this real-time air quality index map show more granular information on air pollution, where it is, and where it’s coming from.
There’s also a focus on sustainable construction, with green materials that will not off-gas as much pollution into the atmosphere. That’s taking on around the world, as builders look at the ratings and quality of new materials, but it’s particularly prevalent in Paris, where a lot of other initiatives are also helping to green the city: there are urban forests created for carbon capture, and local bans on car traffic on certain streets. All of it contributes to the overall goals; including promoting good air quality in the city.
Of course, people in Paris are looking at greener transportation – whether that involves electric vehicles, bike, sharing programs or anything else that will reduce the No2 and other greenhouse gases burned in traditional vehicle combustion. Those deliberate changes help a lot.
After the Games
One of the good points about addressing air quality ahead of the Olympics is that the same goals will help improve that air quality more, even after the event is over. Going back to those lower levels of population should ease the problem in terms of immediate contamination, and everyone can work together toward a cleaner future.
Your Indoor Air and You
Along with those goals that Paris identified above, there are individual goals for residents and families to protect themselves in their homes.
This is a much different equation than public administration planning for air quality. Inside of an indoor space, you can actually cleanse the air by running air purifier machines with modern HEPA filters. This will decrease the contaminants, and keep the air in a home cleaner and more breathable over time.
Experts recommend running air purifiers on their highest settings for certain periods of time, to really get the cleaning effect that you need in an interior space. You can buy whole home systems, or portable standalone units to work on specific rooms or areas. Think about any partitions or barriers that might impede airflow.
You can also use air monitors and take a page from the playbook of public planners who are looking at air quality in a broader context: get readings on pollutant levels, and then put the machines in place that will help. You can choose from systems with traditional HEPA filters, like the Airpura V600, or other methodology like probiotic systems, that disperse bacteria to aid in air quality. You can even get a Respiray wearable model for using on the go, where you can filter your own personal air!
In addition to those options, you can also can get different models for different square footage areas and more. Let US Air Purifiers LLCâ„¢ help you to choose the models that you need for your home. We have the experience to recommend the most effective air cleaners for you.