Brussels Briefing

Air pollution at dangerous levels

Air-pollution is dangerously high in parts of Europe, especially in Belgium and France because the particulates from traffic — especially diesel, wood burning stoves and agricultural fertilisers — is not be dispersed by this particularly calm weather.

France introduced free public transport in Paris for a few days, cut the speed limit in places, limited fertiliser spreading and advised against burning wood in fireplaces. Belgium too has introduced speed limits in the most affected areas.